Oxyuriasis (pinworms)

Oxyuriasis (Pinworms)
medication regimens for eradicating pinworms from persistent problem of well-managed animal colonies. rodents: ivermectin or fenbendazole. Both methods Pinworms that commonly infect laboratory colonies have advantages and disadvantages for the include Syphacia muris, S. obvelata, and Aspiculuris researcher, animal and animal care staff. Ivermectin is either applied topically to the perineum of the affected animals or administered in Transmission: The pinworm life cycle is direct. Adult the drinking water. Although ivermectin is not worms inhabit the colon and cecum. Eggs are shed in expensive, this treatment regiment is extremely labor the feces or deposited on the perianal region of the intensive. All animals need to be handled daily for 7 to rodent. The eggs are very light and aerosolize easily, 10 days if it is being applied topically. MI bottles need facilitating infection. Embryonated eggs are ingested, to be changed daily for 7 to 10 days if it is being administered in the water. Ivermectin can interfere It has been shown that embryonated eggs can with neurological function and is generally not survive at room temperature for extended periods of recommended in colonies doing behavioral research. Fenbendazole is administered orally through specially prepared rodent chows. These diets are Clinical Signs: Clinical signs are related to the expensive when compared to normal rodent diets. parasite burden in a particular animal. In general, Typically, the rodents are fed the diet containing weanling animals and males tend to be more heavily fenbendazole for at least four 7 to 10-thy treatment periods with intervening 7 to 10-day periods of The infection is usually subclinical, with no feeding with non-medicated chow. Alternatively, the apparent clinical signs. However, infected mice can diet may be given for 6 weeks straight. Fenbendazole develop rectal prolapses, intussusceptions, fecal may interfere with liver function, making it an impactions, poor weight gain, rough hair coats, bloody undesirable choice for studies that require normal feces, and perianal irritation. The disease is usually Regardless of medication selected, increased sanitation should be practiced. All caging, equipment, Diagnosis: Diagnosis is usually based on identification and room surfaces should be disinfected as directed of the parasite eggs in a fecal flotation (Aspiculuris sp.) by the veterinarian. Generally, compounds such as or by examining a tape test (Syphacia sp.). Adult chlorine disinfectants and quatemary ammonia worms can also be seen with direct examination of compounds are recommended. Autoclaving and the cecum and colon with a dissecting microscope. A recent study (Huerkamp, 2000) suggests that if Effects on Research: Pinworm infections have five fenbendazole treatment periods are used (for a resulted in significantly higher antibody production to total of 9 weeks of treatment) to treat Syphacia, sheep red blood cells, reduced occurrence of intensive sanitation may not be required for colonies adjuvant-induced arthritis, and impaired intestinal of rats. This is promising information, but may not be electrolyte transport. As athymic nude mice are more applicable to Aspiculuris sp. or infections in mice. susceptible to these infections, increased morbidity Further information is required before this can be can interfere with research using infected mice. uniformly recommended, but this method may be replacement stocks from sources that are known to be free of disease. Personnel working with infected Baker, DG. 1998. “Natural Pathogens of Laboratory Mice, Rats, animals should not enter rooms that contain naïve and Rabbits and Their Effects on Research.” Clinical Iviicrobiology All animals should be placed in microisolator caging environments that are handled with the aid of Huerkamp, MJ etal. 2000. “Fenbendazole treatment without a laminar flow hood using sterile techniques during environmental decontamination eradicates Syphacia muris from all handling and observation of the animals. rats in a large, complex research institution.” Contemporary Topics. Eradication: Currently there are two widely accepted

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