Screening for antibodies against the sheep scab mite (Psoroptes ovis) Pso o 2 antigen in experimentally infested Swifter sheep may fail to identify affected animals

Sheep scab, caused by Psoroptes ovis mites, represents a significant threat to sheep health and welfare. Infestations are diagnosed parasite identification in skin scrapings, more recently with commercial ELISA against serum antibodies the Pso o 2 mite allergen. However, little is known about performance of non-UK populations. In this study, six Swifter were experimentally infested P. ovis. Lesion sizes monitored IgG novel Pso-EIP-1 antigens measured ELISA. Although all showed signs infestation, from two animals failed react 2. they did Pso-EIP-1. This indicates that cases scab (Swifter) may remain undetected using ELISA, which have implications for routine screening non- UK breeds.