The effect ofSyphacia murison nutrient digestibility in laboratory rats

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate how pinworm infection in rats affects nutrient digestibility in the hosts. Twenty-four male outbred Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups of 12 rats each. The rats from the first group (GI) were kept in cages with bedding containing pinworm eggs, and the second (control) group (GII) were kept in a separate room in clean, uncontaminated filter-top cages. The animals were put into individual metabolic cages later. Metabolic trials lasted five days and records of animal weight, food ingestion, and faecal weight were taken daily. Based on laboratory analysis of the feed and faecal nutrient content, digestibility values were determined. On day 15 of the experiment, the animals were euthanized. Although Syphacia muris were found in all rats from the GI group, animals exhibited no clinical signs. In our experiment, S. muris infection reduced the overall digestibility of all measured nutrients (P < 0.01). The most significant differences in digestibility were observed in the case of crude fibre and mineral matter (P < 0.01).

Helminth parasites in black rats (Rattus rattus) and brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from different environments in the Netherlands

“…In a survey in 2006, respondents from 35 US research institutions reported S. muris in 17% of mouse colonies and 42% of rat colonies ( 33 ). Although S. muris is considered non-pathogenic, S. muris infections have been shown to exert significant negative effect on digestibility of nutrients and consequently growth of laboratory rats, which could interfere with experiment outcomes ( 34 ).…”

Potential anthelmintic effect of chitosan on Syphacia muris infecting Wistar rats: biochemical, immunological, and histopathological studies

“…Histopathological investigations displayed that S. muris caused some alterations, including atrophy and distortion of villi, resulting in the loss of the normal appearance of the intestinal layers. On the same line, Plachý et al 1 found that a high pinworm burden caused histological changes in intestinal layers. Also, Anwar et al 62 detected degenerations of the intestinal mucosa and atrophy of the villi of the terrestrial rodent Psammomys obesus due to helminthic infection.…”

“…Syphacia muris is the most prevalent pinworm in laboratory rats, and even under well-managed conditions, it is extremely difficult to keep them free of infection 1 . In addition to its zoonotic ability, they can affect the outcome findings 2 , 3 .…”

Environmental Conditions Associated with Parasitic Infections in Laboratory Mice

“…Only one out of 13 laboratory mice colonies in animal facilities in Brazil was found to be negative for pinworms (Bicalho et al, 2007). Although non-pathogenic, pinworms compromise the host's growth, haemopoiesis (Burgarski et al, 2006), nutrient digestibility (Plachỳ et al, 2016), and intestinal electrolyte transportation (Philpott et al, 1992). Parasitized animals are commonly subclinical, and affect their physiology, immunology, and biochemical parameters which influence the experimental model (Bicalho et al, 2007).…”