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Related Experiment Videos

Public health and gerbils: microbial evaluation

G L Hoff

    Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
    |December 15, 1981
    PubMed
    Summary

    Mongolian gerbils from retail outlets do not pose a public health risk. Studies found no significant human pathogens in their oral or fecal flora, regardless of origin.

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    Area of Science:

    • Veterinary Microbiology
    • Public Health
    • Zoonotic Disease Research

    Background:

    • Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) are popular pets.
    • Concerns exist regarding potential zoonotic pathogens carried by pet rodents.
    • Retail outlets are common sources for pet acquisition.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To assess the risk of human pathogens in pet Mongolian gerbils.
    • To examine the bacterial and dermatophyte flora of gerbils from retail sources.
    • To determine if gerbil origin (breeder vs. customer supply) impacts pathogen presence.

    Main Methods:

    • Fifty Mongolian gerbils were purchased from 25 retail locations.
    • Aerobic oral and fecal bacterial flora were analyzed.
    • Dermatophyte flora was examined for potential human pathogens.

    Main Results:

    • No significant human pathogens were detected in the gerbils' oral or fecal flora.
    • Dermatophyte flora analysis did not reveal public health threats.
    • No differences in findings were observed between gerbils from commercial breeders and those supplied by retail customers.

    Conclusions:

    • Pet Mongolian gerbils acquired from retail outlets do not present a public health threat regarding the examined microbial flora.
    • The source of gerbils within retail settings does not influence the presence of these potential zoonotic organisms.
    • Findings support the safety of Mongolian gerbils as pets from a microbial standpoint.

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