Sanitary profile in mice and rat colonies in laboratory animal houses in Minas Gerais: I - Endo and ectoparasites [Perfil sanitário de colônias de camundongos e ratos de biotérios de Minas Gerais: I – Endo e ectoparasitos]

The sanitary conditions of 13 animal houses in nine public institutions in Minas Gerais, and the presence of endo and ectoparasites of mice and rats colonies kept in these facilities were evaluated. Data about barriers to prevent the transmission of diseases and a program of sanitary monitoring were obtained through a questionnaire and local visit. Parasitological methods were performed for diagnosing mite, lice, helminthes, and protozoa parasites in 344 mice and 111 rats. Data have shown that the majority of the animal houses had neither proper physical environment nor protection barriers to prevent the transmission of infections. Parasitological results have shown that only one animal house (7.7%) had parasite free animals, whereas the others have presented infected animals and the prevalences of parasites in the mice colonies were: Myobia musculi (23.1%); Myocoptes musculinus (38.5%); Radfordia affinis (15.4%); Syphacia obvelata (92.3%); Aspiculuris tetraptera (23.1%); Hymenolepis nana (15.4%); Spironucleus muris (46.2%); Giardia muris (46.2%); Tritrichomonas muris (53.8%); Trichomonas minuta (61.5%); Hexamastix muris (7.7%); and Entamoeba muris (84.6%). As for the rat colonies, the prevalences were: Poliplax spinulosa (8.1%); Syphacia muris (46.2%); Trichosomoides crassicauda (28.6%); Spironucleus muris (85.7%); Tritrichomonas muris (85.7%); Trichomonas minuta (85.7%); Hexamastix muris (14.3%) and Entamoeba muris (85.7%).