Parasitic diseases

This chapter describes the epidemiology, zoonotic implications, life cycles, clinical and pathological signs, diagnosis, treatment, and methods for control and eradication of rat parasites. Many parasites that were previously present in laboratory rodent colonies are now rarely seen. However, they are included here because they remain a threat to modern animal facilities because of their continuing presence in wild rat populations and pet rodents. Some parasites, such as pinworms, are still relatively common. Parasites remain an important field of interest because molecular diagnostic methods are increasingly uncovering the presence of these and other parasites that may not cause clinical signs but have the potential to affect research.