Diagnosis of the pinworm Syphacia muris in the Wistar rat Rattus norvegicus

J Helminthol. 2016 Jan;90(1):117-20. doi: 10.1017/S0022149X14000753. Epub 2014 Oct 20.

Abstract

This study aimed to compare three qualitative parasitological methods for the diagnosis of Syphacia muris infection in 30 Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) infected naturally. Methods of spontaneous sedimentation (Hoffman, Pons and Janer, or HPJ) and spontaneous flotation (Willis) for faecal samples and a method of taping (Graham) were performed and compared. The Graham and Willis methods were more sensitive than the HPJ method (P< 0.05). The Graham method was able to detect S. muris eggs in 100% of the samples. Eggs were detected in 83% and 60% of the samples using the Willis and HPJ methods, respectively. Method choice is important for screening for parasites of rats kept under laboratory conditions, as accurate diagnosis helps prevent future environmental contamination and infection. We concluded that the Graham method was the most efficient of those tested in this study for detection of S. muris infection in rats. This method is also rapid, inexpensive and practical, and should be implemented as a necessary measure for infection control.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Male
  • Oxyuriasis / diagnosis
  • Oxyuriasis / parasitology
  • Oxyuriasis / veterinary*
  • Oxyuroidea / isolation & purification*
  • Oxyuroidea / physiology
  • Parasitology / methods*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Rodent Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Rodent Diseases / parasitology