Identification of Intestinal Parasites of Laboratory Mice inThree Animal Houses in Tehran

Mice are the most common laboratory animals used in research. Parasitic infections in laboratory animals affect both the research results and the health of researchers.

The present study aimed to investigate the infection status of intestinal parasites of mice in three main animal houses in Tehran.

In this study, 75 mice (25 from each animal house) were randomly purchased from an animal breeding house in Tehran and investigated. Mice were euthanized and autopsied. In order to study the gastrointestinal protozoa, wet smears were prepared from different parts of the intestine and feces and stained with Giemsa and Ziehl-Neelsen if necessary. Afterwards, the intestinal contents were examined and helminths were separated. If necessary, specific staining was used to diagnose helminths.

Among the detected parasites, Aspiculuris tetraptera was the most prevalent (% 93.3). The mice were also infected with Syphacia obvelata (% 62.6), Hymenolepis nana (% 61.3), Tritrichomonas muris (% 22.6), Giardia muris (% 21.3), Spironucleus muris (% 18.6), Hymenolepis diminuta (% 17.3), and Cryptosporidium (% 6.6).

Out of 75 adult mice studied, all had at least one parasite. This can affect the research results and jeopardize the health of researchers and related personnel.