Evaluation of intestinal parasites of Mouse, Rat and Hamster

Internal parasitic diseases are very important in laboratory animal breeding systems. Additionally, producing clear laboratory animals for educational and research centers is very important. According to above notes it was decided to perform a screening study using normal methods of identification of gastrointestinal parasites (autopsy and isolation of parasites from gastrointestinal organs), then identification of collected parasites. So, parasites have been isolated from gastrointestinal organs of animals (Mouse, Rat, Hamster) they have been mounted on slides and were identified. This study was carried out from 2008 up to 2011, a three year period. Finally, screening data and identification card for any laboratory animal was verified according to the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) and documented. Totally fifty mice have been detected for gastrointestinal parasitological infections, 30% of mice had adult stage of oxyuris, 4% of mice were infected by adult cestoda (H.diminuta) and 40% of mice had protozoa infection of Giardiaspp. 15% cases of rats were infected by Oxyuris, and 15% were infected by Trichomosoides crassicauda and no protozoa infection was found in rats. 18% hamsters had Oxyuris and there was no protozoa infection in hamsters. Finally, regarding these records of parasitological infection in laboratory animals, it can be concluded that there are no clinical infection due to these agents and these records may help us to develop a better screening methods and certificate for laboratory animals.