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Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Diagnosis of Ecto- and Endoparasites in Laboratory Rats and Mice
Published on: September 6, 2011
Fenbendazole treatment without environmental decontamination eradicates Syphacia muris from all rats in a large,
M J Huerkamp1, K A Benjamin, L A Zitzow
1Division of Animal Resources, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Abstract:
Syphacia muris parasitism was eliminated from rats and voles by feeding fenbendazole-medicated chow (150 ppm) for five 7-day periods; treatment periods were separated by 7-day periods of feeding non-medicated chow, yielding atotal treatment course of 9 weeks. No other manipulations to facilitate eradication, including the use of filter tops, autoclaved cages, environmental decontamination, colony depopulation, breeding cessation, and research restriction, were done. The examination of 3143 cellophane-tape impressions of the anus and 160 cecal examinations from euthanized rats and voles during the treatment period and for 7 months afterwards confirmed the efficacy of treatment. Treatment was rapidly effective in voles. In rats, pinworm eggs persisted at high levels for 2 weeks after the start of treatment, but no eggs were found after 22 days.
Insights
Fenbendazole effectively eliminated Syphacia muris pinworms in rats and voles with a 9-week treatment regimen. This study demonstrates a simple, effective method for parasite control in laboratory rodents.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Rodent Health Management
Background:
- Syphacia muris is a common pinworm parasite affecting laboratory rats and voles.
- Effective parasite control is crucial for maintaining the health and integrity of research animal colonies.
- Previous eradication methods often involve extensive environmental and colony management procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of fenbendazole in eliminating Syphacia muris parasitism in rats and voles.
- To determine if fenbendazole treatment can eradicate pinworms without additional colony-level interventions.
- To establish a practical and effective treatment protocol for Syphacia muris.
Main Methods:
- Rodents were fed fenbendazole-medicated chow (150 ppm) for five 7-day periods, interspersed with 7-day non-medicated chow intervals over 9 weeks.
- No other colony management or environmental decontamination procedures were implemented.
- Efficacy was confirmed through 3143 cellophane-tape anal impressions and 160 cecal examinations post-treatment for up to 7 months.
Main Results:
- Fenbendazole treatment successfully eliminated Syphacia muris in both rats and voles.
- Treatment was rapidly effective in voles.
- In rats, pinworm eggs decreased significantly, with no eggs detected after 22 days of treatment initiation.
Conclusions:
- Fenbendazole administration is a highly effective monotherapy for Syphacia muris eradication in rats and voles.
- This treatment protocol offers a simplified approach to pinworm control, reducing the need for extensive facility-wide interventions.
- The findings support the use of fenbendazole as a key tool in maintaining parasite-free rodent colonies for research purposes.
