Parasitic infection in a closed group of outbred Meriones meridianus and results of parasite eradication / 中国实验动物学报

ABSTRACT

Objective In order to lay the foundation for establishment of a clean grade Meriones meridianus popu-lation, and provide reference for the formulation of Meriones meridianus parasite detection standard.Methods A survey of parasite infection in Meriones meridianus was carried out, and three kinds of antiparasitic drugs, tetramethrin/per-methrin, praziquantel, and tinidazole were used in high-, medium-and low-doses for eradication of the target parasites. Results Three types of parasites were detected among the animals.The infection rate of surface parasite Myobia musculi was 82.1%(23/28), that of intestinal parasite Hymenolepis nana was 78.1% (25/32) and Tritrichomonas muris was 90.6%(29/32).Significant results of parasite eradication were achieved with the antiparasitic drugs.Medicated bath u-sing 1%tetramethrin/permethrin for 30 s every 4 days for 5 times and 1.5%tetramethrin/permethrin for 30 s every 4 days for 3 times completely eradicated the surface Myobia musculi infection.Praziquantel in a dose of 31 mg/kg by daily gastric gavage for consecutive 7 days was the optimal dosage to completely eradicate the intestinal Hymenolepis nana.Tinidazole in a dose of 42 mg/kg administered by gastric gavage daily for consecutive 7 days was the optimal dosage for eradication of in-testinal Tritrichomonas muris infection.Conclusions Three types of parasites are detected in Meriones meridianus in our laboratory, i.e.surface infection with Myobia musculi, and intestinal infection with Tritrichomonas muris and Hymenolepis nana.Tetramethrin/permethrin, praziquantel and tinidazole can be used to effectively eradicate these three types of para-sites, respectively.