Effective eradication of pinworms (Syphacia muris, Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera) from a rodent breeding colony by oral anthelmintic therapy

Abstract

SummaryAn oral combination of piperazine and ivermectin was used over a 6-week period for treating three different colonies of mice or rats infested with Syphacia obvelata, Syphacia muris or Aspiculuris tetraptera. No acute toxic effect was found in transgenic lines of mice or rats with these products in a preliminary trial. The colonies were treated with piperazine, 2.1 mg/ml in tap water for 2 weeks, then with ivermectin, 0.007 mg/ml, in tap water for the third and fourth weeks, and finally with piperazine for two further weeks. Hygiene measures such as a complete cage change, thorough disinfection and cleaning of the rooms were associated with the treatment. All examinations subsequent to completion of treatment have proved negative for further parasites.

Patterns of infection with the nematodes Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera in conventionally maintained laboratory mice

“…According to Flynn (1973) and Jacoby and Fox (1984), infections with S. obvelata generally occur in young mice, since adults seem to be more resistant; thus, 4-5 weeks mice should be investigated considering that prevalences of worm burdens are higher at this time. Panter (1969) and Taffs (1976) reinforce the acquired resistance to infection between the 4th The high frequency of S. obvelata in comparison with A. tetraptera worm burdens presently observed is not in accordance with Rosas (1977) that reports higher frequencies of the latter species; nevertheless, this high frequency of S. obvelata in rodent colonies is justified considering the nematode life-cycle, that is shorter in this species, thus inducing the infection in a larger number of mice in short periods (Flynn 1973, Jacoby & Fox 1984, Scott & Gibbs 1986, Coghlan et al 1993, Moulia et al 1993, Klement et al 1996, Zenner 1998. Gonçalves et al (1998) observed associations of S. obvelata and A. tetraptera in outbred and inbred mice; this parameter is to be analyzed with basis on the population dynamics of pinworms in mice, as previously reported (Scott & Gibbs 1986).…”

Biology and Diseases of Mice

“…Treatment, Prevention, and Control Pinworm infestation can be treated effectively by a number of regimens, which include the use of anthelmintics such as piperazine, ivermectin, and benzimidazole compounds alone or in combination (Klement et al, 1996;Le Blanc et al, 1993;Lipman et al, 1994;Flynn et al, 1989;Wescott, 1982;Zenner, 1998). Because some of the recommended therapies have the potential for toxicity, it is prudent to keep mice under close clinical observation during treatment (Davis et al, 1999;Skopets et al, 1996;Toth et al, 2000).…”

Drinking water ivermectin treatment for eradication of pinworm infections from laboratory rat colonies

“…Also pinworm infestation has been found to interfere with the occurrence of induced adjuvant arthritis (Pearson & Taylor, 1975), and with intestinal electrolyte transport (Lubcke et al, 1992). Rodents with pinworm infection are not desirable HELMINTHOLOGIA, 47, 4: 233 -237, 2010 Drinking water ivermectin treatment for eradication of pinworm infections from laboratory rat colonies (Blair et al, 1968;Taffs, 1976;Battles et al, 1987;Klement et al, 1996;Zenner, 1998;Huerkamp et al, 2000;Oge et al, 2000;Pritchett, 2002). Ivermectim has become one of the most widely used drugs for the treatment of animal parasitic infections.…”