Division of Animal Resources, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
Research Animal Diagnostic Services, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, Massachusetts.
Comp Med. 2024 Jun 1;74(3):167-172. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-CM-24049.
Murine fur mites are commonly excluded in modern research animal programs, yet infestations continue to persist due to challenges in detection and control. Because all diagnostic methods and treatment options have limitations, programs must make many operational decisions when trying to eradicate these ectoparasites. The primary aim of this study was to assess various durations of treatment time with an ivermectin-compounded diet in eliminating in mice as determined by PCR testing and pelt examination. A shorter treatment duration would be highly advantageous as compared with the current regimen of 8 wk as it would minimize cost and time for animal management programs, impediments to research, and ivermectin drug effects on infested animals. Five experimental groups of -positive mice received dietary ivermectin for 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 wk. A fur mite-negative, naïve mouse was added to each group every 8 wk to perpetuate the infestation and amplify any remaining populations of fur mites. At 16 wk after the respective treatment end, PCR testing was performed for all treated groups in conjunction with the positive control group (no treatment). Visual examination of pelts for mites and eggs via direct microscopy was also performed at each time point. All treated mice were free of at 16 wk after the end of treatment as confirmed by both PCR testing and pelt examination. These findings indicate that a dietary ivermectin treatment duration of as little as 2 wk is effective in eliminating , making successful eradication initiatives more achievable.
鼠螨通常在现代研究动物计划中被排除在外，但由于检测和控制的挑战，它们仍在不断蔓延。由于所有诊断方法和治疗选择都有其局限性，因此在试图根除这些外寄生虫时，计划必须做出许多操作决策。本研究的主要目的是评估伊维菌素复合饮食在通过 PCR 检测和皮毛检查消除感染中的不同治疗时间，以评估其效果。与目前 8 周的方案相比，较短的治疗时间将具有很大的优势，因为它将最大限度地减少动物管理计划的成本和时间、研究的障碍以及伊维菌素对受感染动物的药物影响。将 5 组实验性感染阳性的小鼠分别用伊维菌素饮食处理 0、2、4、6 或 8 周。每 8 周向每组添加一只皮毛螨阴性的幼稚小鼠，以维持感染并扩增任何剩余的皮毛螨种群。在各自治疗结束后 16 周，对所有治疗组进行 PCR 检测，并与阳性对照组（未治疗）进行联合检测。在每个时间点还通过直接显微镜检查皮毛中的螨虫和卵进行肉眼检查。所有治疗小鼠在治疗结束后 16 周均未检出 ，PCR 检测和皮毛检查均证实了这一点。这些发现表明，伊维菌素饮食治疗时间短至 2 周即可有效消除 ，使成功的根除计划更易于实现。
