Prevalence of ecto and endoparasites in mice and rats reared in animal houses

Abstract

During five years (1986-1991), 229 mice and 128 rafs of both sexes, aged 01 to 02 months, from different breeding colonies in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were examined for parasitological control. Four conventional colonies (2 of rats and 2 of mice) and one mice barrier colony (control) were analyzed. Semi-annual sampling made use of 5% of the animals in the rooms. The population of each room comprised over 100 animals. In the general examination, abdominal distention and diarrhea were
observed in the mice and rats from conventional colonies, but not in animals from the control colony. Mild alopecia and bristly hairs were detected in all animals from the evaluated colonies. Ectoparasites such as Myobia musculi, Myocoptes musculinus, Radfordia affinis, R. ensifera and Poliplax spinulosa were identified in the conventional colonies, in multiple and single infestations. Myobia musculi is described for the first time in rats reared in breeding colonies. Endoparasites such as Hymenolepisnana, Syphacia sp, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Tritrichomonas muris, Spironucleusmuris, Giardia muris, and Eimeria sp were observed in the conventional colonies. However, through necropsy results, in the control colony Syphacia sp and Aspiculuris tetraptera were the only parasites found. Necropsy confirmed the indication of the anal swab method for detection of Syphacia sp rather than the Willis method, and revealed the degree of infection by intestinal protozoa and Syphacia sp. H. nana and Aspiculuris tetraptera were efficiently detected by Willis method.