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Cross-fostering in combination with ivermectin therapy: a method to eradicate murine fur mites
Michael J Huerkamp1, Lois A Zitzow, Sonji Webb
1Division of Animal Resources, Whitehead Biomedical Research Building, Suite G02, 615 Michael Street, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Abstract:
A colony of mutant mice with sickle cell anemia was infested with the fur mites Myocoptes musculinus and Myobia musculi. Pups of sickle-cell phenotype obtained by cesarean section prior to natural birth were of such poor vigor that none survived the combined insults of delivery by hysterectomy and cross-fostering. Consequently, surgical rederivation, the most reliable means of mite eradication, was not an option. Because furless mice are not susceptible to mite infestation and because neonates putatively remain free of mites until 4 to 5 days after birth, pups born by natural delivery were cross-fostered within 0 to 36 h to outbred lactating females treated once with ivermectin (2 mg/kg topically) at the time of transfer and housed in filter-top cages. Cross-fostering in conjunction with topical ivermectin administered to weaned mice one or more times at approximate 9-day intervals beginning on the day of weaning was successful in reliably eradicating mites. In addition, the 58% postnatal survivability of pups cross-fostered to dams given ivermectin was equivalent to that of natural-born pups that were reared by their untreated biological mothers.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel method to eradicate fur mites in sickle cell anemia mice. This technique combines cross-fostering with ivermectin treatment, improving pup survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Animal Models
- Parasitology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sickle cell anemia mouse models are susceptible to fur mites (Myocoptes musculinus and Myobia musculi).
- Traditional mite eradication methods like surgical rederivation are not feasible for compromised sickle cell anemia pups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reliable method for eradicating fur mites in a colony of sickle cell anemia mice.
- To improve the survival rates of sickle cell anemia mouse pups.
Main Methods:
- Cross-fostering of neonate sickle cell anemia pups (0-36 hours old) to ivermectin-treated outbred dams.
- Topical ivermectin treatment of weaned mice at approximately 9-day intervals.
- Housing pups in filter-top cages to prevent re-infestation.
Main Results:
- A combination of cross-fostering and repeated topical ivermectin treatments successfully eradicated fur mites.
- Postnatal survivability of pups in the treated group reached 58%, comparable to naturally reared pups.
- Cesarean-derived pups lacked the vigor for survival under the study's conditions.
Conclusions:
- This cross-fostering and ivermectin treatment strategy is effective for mite eradication in sickle cell anemia mouse models.
- The method ensures the health and viability of genetically compromised mouse colonies for research.
- Alternative methods are needed for severely compromised neonates where surgical rederivation is not an option.
