The Cascading Pathogenic Consequences of Sarcoptes Scabiei Infection That Manifest in Host Disease

The study investigated the effects of Sarcoptes scabiei infection on bare-nosed wombats, revealing significant physiological and behavioral changes. Mange-infected wombats experienced greater heat loss, a 40% increase in metabolic rates, and altered behavior, spending less time foraging and more time inactive. Additionally, infected wombats showed changes in fatty acid composition, with increased omega-6 and decreased omega-3 acids due to chronic inflammation. These findings highlighted the complex interactions of mange-induced physiological and behavioral changes, suggesting that treatment should include high-calorie food supplementation to support recovery.