Investigation of Gastrointestinal Parasites and Inter-Species Susceptibility in Laboratory Mice, Gerbils, and Guinea Pigs
Öz
In this study, gastrointestinal parasites and the interspecies susceptibility of laboratory mice, gerbils, and guinea pigs bred for experimental purposes were investigated. Within the scope of the study, a total of 335 mice from 32 cages, 140 guinea pigs from 7 cages, and 4 gerbils from 1 cage were used. Adequate amounts of fresh fecal samples were collected from each cage, and the collected samples were homogenized. Samples were processed by the flotation method and subsequently analyzed under light microscopy. As a result of the examination, no parasitic species were detected in the guinea pig and gerbil cages. However, parasitic infestation was identified in all mouse cages (100 %), with the distribution of parasites as follows: 46.9 % Eimeria spp. and Syphacia muris, 25 % Aspiculuris tetraptera and Hymenolepis nana, 15.6 % H. nana, and 12.5 % A. tetraptera. The study concluded that no gastrointestinal parasitic infections were found in guinea pigs and gerbils; however, mice raised under similar husbandry and feeding conditions at the same facility exhibited a heavy parasitic burden, including some parasites relevant to human health. The study demonstrates that guinea pigs are more resistant to helminth infections than mice and highlights the critical role of species selection in determining infection risk. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of biosecurity measures in preventing parasitic infestations in mice, which hold a significant place among laboratory animals, as well as the necessity of improving husbandry and feeding conditions and implementing routine screening practices.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Etik Beyan
Teşekkür
Kaynakça
- Albers, T. M., Henderson, K. S., Mulder, G. B., & Shek, W. R. (2023). Pathogen prevalence estimates and diagnostic methodology trends in laboratory mice and rats from 2003 to 2020. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 62(3), 229–242. https://doi.org/10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-22-000097
- Baker, D. G. (1998). Natural pathogens of laboratory mice, rats, and rabbits and their effects on research. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 11(2), 231–266. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.11.2.231
- Bakare, A. O., & Owoyele, B. V. (2020). Bromelain reversed electrolyte imbalance in the chronically constricted sciatic nerve of Wistar rats. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology, 393(3), 457–467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-019-01744-8
- Beyhan, Y. E., Gürler, A. T., Bölükbaş, C. S., Açıcı, M., & Umur, Ş. (2010). Bazı laboratuvar hayvanlarında nekropsi ve dışkı bakısı ile saptanan helmintler. Turkiye Parazitoloji Dergisi, 34(2), 98–101.
- Beyhan, Y. E., Özkan, A. T., & İde, T. (2013). Laboratuvar fare, sıçan ve kobaylarında dışkı bakısı ile helmintlerin araştırılması. Etlik Veteriner Mikrobiyoloji Dergisi, 24(2), 33–36.
- Coşkun, N. C. (2024). Design of animal experiments in pharmacological research. Düzce Medical Journal, 26(S1), 87-94. https://doi.org/10.18678/dtfd.1489639
- Çetinkaya, H., Taş, T., & Vuruşaner, C. (2017). Determination of the parasites in the faeces of laboratory animals by using flotation technique in Istanbul, Turkey. Journal of Istanbul Veterinary Sciences, 1(2), 35–39. https://doi.org/10.30704/http-www-jivs-net.322964
- Daryani, A., Amouei, A., Pagheh, A. S., Sharif, M., Sarvi, S., Rahimi, M. T., & Rezaei, F. (2023). Prevalence of ecto and gastrointestinal parasites of Rattus rattus in Mazandaran Province, North of Iran. Turkish Journal of Parasitology, 47(1), 53–58. https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.85570
Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
İngilizce
Konular
Sağlık Kurumları Yönetimi
Bölüm
Araştırma Makalesi
Erken Görünüm Tarihi
3 Şubat 2026
Yayımlanma Tarihi
3 Şubat 2026
Gönderilme Tarihi
3 Ekim 2025
Kabul Tarihi
24 Kasım 2025
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2026 Cilt: 6 Sayı: 1