Chapter 32 – Parasitic Diseases

Publisher Summary There is a dearth of information on naturally occurring parasitism of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). This chapter provides information specific to the Syrian hamster when it is available. Information is also drawn from the literature pertaining to the same or similar parasites of other rodent species when it is applicable and relevant to the hamster, especially with respect to prevention, treatment, and eradication. The limited available information on parasites of other hamster species is also presented in this chapter. Commercially reared Syrian hamsters available today for use in the laboratory harbor a plethora of nonpathogenic commensal protozoa and often Demodex spp. mites as they have never been successfully cesarean rederived. Interestingly, a protocol for generating protozoa-free hamsters using carbasone and quinacrine was reported. Although there is limited information pertaining to the indigenous parasites of the Syrian hamster, this species has continued to serve as an important model for a variety of diseases caused by various protozoal and helminth species including Leishmania spp., Schistosoma spp., Fasciola spp., and Ancylostoma spp., among others. There are numerous treatment regimens published for eradication of parasitic diseases from laboratory rodents, each with associated challenges and the potential to confound research. Colony size, age, strain, and immune status may impact successful treatment. Inadequate treatment of all animals greatly increases the possibility of treatment failure. Dosing regimens extrapolated from other rodent species may also be inadequate and there is a potential for the development of resistance. Lastly, as with avermectins, treatment may present a health risk to the animal.