Development and Evaluation of Wild-Derived Rats as Potential Experimental Models for Research

Wild rodents have been used as animal models in experimental studies of cellular aging, cerebral malaria, schistosomiasis, and leishmaniasis. Since they are the reservoirs these diseases, recent shown that research involving wild is more efficient giving a mirror image disease progression outside laboratory setting. The study design was an analytic where observations were made between two groups animals i.e. wild-derived lab-bred rats. outcome intervention obtained by comparing groups. This sought to determine usability rats potential for biomedical research. randomly captured areas with high transmission Schistosoma mansoni Leishmania donovani Kisumu Kitui counties, Kenya maintained house at Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Nairobi. Breeding carried out, subsequent generations assess schistosomiasis leishmaniasis wild-derived, laboratory-bred We further monitored behavior patterns food consumption rate 3 months total 6 trials. results on feed capacity indicated significantly higher (p=0.001) compared Overall, heavier than In use progression, susceptible may be considered S. (worms recovered p=0.031). conclusion, reservoir hosts both maintain cycles infection until after successful chemotherapeutic intervention. Therefore, provide natural means parasites like L. re-infect humans endemic areas.