Presence of Syphacia muris in Wistar Rats of a Conventional Animal Care Facility and Treatment for the Eradication of this Parasitosis

AbstractThere are no clinical interventions to prevent post-injury epilepsy, a common and devastating outcome after brain insults. Epileptogenic events that run from brain injury to epilepsy are poorly understood. Previous studies in our laboratory suggested Proechimys, an exotic Amazonian rodent, as resistant to acquired epilepsy development in post-status epilepticus models. The present comparative study was conducted to assess (1) stroke-related brain responses 24-h and 30 days after cortical photothrombosis and (2) post-stroke epilepsy between Proechimys rodents and Wistar rats, a traditional animal used for laboratory research. Proechimys group showed smaller volume of ischemic infarction and lesser glial activation than Wistar group. In contrast to Wistar rats, post-stroke decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased levels of anti-inflammatory mediators and growth factors were found in Proechimys. Electrophysiological signaling changes assessed by cortical spreading depression, in vitro and in vivo, showed that Wistar’s brain is most severely affected by stroke. Chronic electrocorticographic recordings showed that injury did not lead to epilepsy in Proechimys whereas 88% of the Wistar rats developed post-stroke epilepsy. Science gains insights from comparative studies on diverse species. Proechimys rodents proved to be a useful animal model to study antiepileptogenic mechanisms after brain insults and complement conventional animal models.

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Serological cross-reactivity between Strongyloides venezuelensis and Syphacia muris in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Parasitology International ◽

10.1016/j.parint.2015.11.005 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 65 (2) ◽

pp. 137-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

José Eduardo N. de Sousa ◽

Edson Fernando G. de Carvalho ◽

Marcelo A. Levenhagen ◽

Lucas S. de Faria ◽

Maria do R.F. Gonçalves-Pires ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rattus Norvegicus ◽

Wistar Rats ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Strongyloides Venezuelensis ◽

Syphacia Muris

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Diagnosis of the pinwormSyphacia murisin the Wistar ratRattus norvegicus

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x14000753 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 90 (1) ◽

pp. 117-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

J.E.N. Sousa ◽

E.F.G. Carvalho ◽

M.A. Levenhagen ◽

L.A. Chaves ◽

J.M. Costa-Cruz

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Environmental Contamination ◽

Rattus Norvegicus ◽

Wistar Rats ◽

Accurate Diagnosis ◽

Method Choice ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Syphacia Muris

AbstractThis study aimed to compare three qualitative parasitological methods for the diagnosis ofSyphacia murisinfection in 30 Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) infected naturally. Methods of spontaneous sedimentation (Hoffman, Pons and Janer, or HPJ) and spontaneous flotation (Willis) for faecal samples and a method of taping (Graham) were performed and compared. The Graham and Willis methods were more sensitive than the HPJ method (P< 0.05). The Graham method was able to detectS. muriseggs in 100% of the samples. Eggs were detected in 83% and 60% of the samples using the Willis and HPJ methods, respectively. Method choice is important for screening for parasites of rats kept under laboratory conditions, as accurate diagnosis helps prevent future environmental contamination and infection. We concluded that the Graham method was the most efficient of those tested in this study for detection ofS. murisinfection in rats. This method is also rapid, inexpensive and practical, and should be implemented as a necessary measure for infection control.

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Building 364 Tier 2 Safety Basis Document Building 364 Animal Care Facility

10.2172/899428 ◽

2007 ◽

Author(s):

J Vigus ◽

M Johnson

Keyword(s):

Care Facility ◽

Tier 2 ◽

Animal Care

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A 90-Day Subchronic Toxicity Study of Consumption of GH-Transgenic Triploid Carp in Wistar Rats

Fishes ◽

10.3390/fishes7010010 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 10

Author(s):

Jingya Guo ◽

Yongming Li ◽

Yaping Wang ◽

Boyong Chen ◽

Yingxin Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Wistar Rats ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Control Group ◽

Serum Chemistry ◽

Subchronic Toxicity ◽

Potential Health ◽

Formulated Diets ◽

Feeding Study ◽

Conventional Animal

Genetic modification (GM) offers an alternative strategy to conventional animal breeding. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential health effects of the consumption of growth hormone-transgenic triploid carp (GH-ttc) through a 90-day subchronic rodent feeding study. Wistar rats (n = 10/sex/group) were given formulated diets containing GH-ttc or non-GM carp at an incorporated rate of 2.5%, 5%, or 10% (w/w) for 90 days. An additional control group of rats (n = 10/sex/group) was fed a basic rodent diet. During the 90-day study, clinical observation, ophthalmic examination, body weight, and food intake were evaluated. At the end of the study, rats were killed, and the hematology, serum chemistry, urine test, necropsy, and histopathology were assessed. Compared with the non-GM carp and the basic control groups, no biologically significant differences were observed on clinical signs of toxicity, body weights, food intake, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, organ weight, and histopathology on selected organs for the GH-ttc group. The results of this 90-day subchronic feeding study indicated that, at the dose level used in this study, consumption of GH-ttc showed no subchronic toxicity to Wistar rats.

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The life-cycle of Syphacia muris Yamaguti (Nematoda: Oxyuroidea) in the laboratory rat

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x00008208 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 39-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

J. W. Lewis ◽

J. D'silva

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Wistar Rats ◽

Light And Electron Microscopy ◽

Larval Stages ◽

Laboratory Rat ◽

Syphacia Muris ◽

First Time

AbstractThe life-cycle of Syphacia muris is described in primary infections of Wistar rats. The life-cycle of S. muris is completed within seven days and no moults were discovered inside the egg. Instead each of two moults were observed outside the egg up to 24 and 40 hours after infection, and TEM studies suggest a third moult occurs up to 64 hours. The development and maturation of the larval stages are described for the first time using both light and electron microscopy. Differences in the size and growth of female S. muris compared with previously published figures could be due to differences in the strains of rats used.

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Aerometric study of viable fungus spores in an animal care facility

Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1258/002367779780943189 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 333-338 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Harriet A. Burge ◽

William R. Solomon ◽

Pamela Williams

Keyword(s):

Care Facility ◽

Airborne Fungi ◽

Invasive Disease ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Malt Extract ◽

Penicillium Species ◽

High Fungus ◽

Principal Source ◽

Exposure Risks ◽

Animal Care

Studies of airborn fungi were undertaken to evaluate exposure risks for laboratory animals and human handlers which might lead to allergic or invasive disease. Although sporadically high fungus levels were encountered, counts of viable fungus particles were in general low. Recoveries on malt extract agar significantly exceeded those on Sabouraud dextrose agar. The taxa most frequently and abundantly recovered were Penicillium species. Data analyses suggest that 'clean' bedding material may be the principal source of these spores, that cleaning temporarily increases spore levels, and that outdoor airborne fungi contributed little to the indoor air spora identified. Aspergillus fumigatus was infrequently encounted in our samples, and dermatophytes were not recovered.

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Radiant catalytic ionization improves the microbiological status of rodent facilities without affecting the prooxidative status of mice

Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1177/00236772211027740 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002367722110277

Author(s):

Tomasz Niemiec ◽

Krzysztof Skowron ◽

Wiesław Świderek ◽

Joanna Kwiecińska-Piróg ◽

Grzegorz Gryń ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Care Facility ◽

Thiobarbituric Acid ◽

Negative Control ◽

Control Room ◽

Laboratory Rodents ◽

Bacteria And Fungi ◽

Animal Care ◽

Ideal Technique ◽

Number Of Bacteria ◽

Microbiological Status

The main microbial contaminants of rooms in which laboratory rodents are housed are bacteria and fungi. Restriction of microbial growth to below threshold levels requires the application of various sophisticated antimicrobial techniques that must be effective and safe for the animals. Some of the most commonly used techniques, including chemical disinfection, ventilation, filtration, sterilization and radiation, are not always sufficiently effective. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of a modern technique (i.e. radiant catalytic ionization (RCI)) on the microbiological status of an animal care facility, and the health of the mice housed therein. The experiment, conducted over seven days, compared an experimental room with an RCI system permanently turned on with a negative control room. At the completion of the experiment, the number of bacteria in the RCI room air and on its walls was lower than that in the control room ( p < 0.01 in both cases). Values of the basic prooxidative parameter, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration, in tissues of mice from the RCI room were within allowed boundaries. Hence, application of an RCI system proved to be an ideal technique to ensure high hygienic standards in animal rooms without any adverse effects on the animals housed therein.

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842 Exosome mediated reprogramming of tumor associated macrophages by exoASO-STAT6 for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer ◽

10.1136/jitc-2021-sitc2021.842 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽

pp. A883-A883

Author(s):

Sushrut Kamerkar ◽

Charan Leng ◽

Kelvin Zhang ◽

Olga Burenkova ◽

Su Chul Jang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

T Cell ◽

Research Council ◽

National Research Council ◽

Care Facility ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Cytotoxic T Cell ◽

Tumor Associated Macrophages ◽

Animal Care ◽

Dose Dependent

BackgroundTumor associated macrophages (TAMs) play a critical role in tumor immunosuppression and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. Reprogramming ‘M2’ TAMs to a proinflammatory ‘M1’ phenotype by selectively silencing M2 phenotype-driving transcription factors, such as STAT6, is a promising strategy to relieve TAM-induced immunosuppression. We have developed exoASO-STAT6™, an investigational therapeutic candidate consisting of exosomes loaded with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting STAT6. By leveraging the TAM tropism of exosomes, exoASO-STAT6™ is the first systemically administered exosome designed to selectively silence STAT6 in TAMs. Preclinical biodistribution studies demonstrated that the liver is the main organ targeted by exoASO after intravenous (IV) dosing.MethodsWe evaluated the translational potential of exoASO-STAT6 to treat hepatocellular carcinoma through pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) and anti-tumoral efficacy studies in preclinical models, as well as computational analysis of human HCC datasets.ResultsPK/PD were evaluated in naïve mice dosed IV with a single dose of exoASO-STAT6. PK analysis showed that the STAT6-ASO is rapidly cleared from plasma. Retention of the ASO in liver was dose-dependent and observed for at least 21 days. exoASO-STAT6 induced significant Stat6 mRNA knockdown (KD) in liver tissue with maximum KD at day 7 (70% KD at the 30 ug dose). IV administration of exoASO-STAT6 in an orthotopic, CPI resistant HCC model attenuated tumor growth and induced complete remission of tumor lesions in 50% of mice, while combination therapy with anti-PD1 antibodies further enhanced anti-tumor activity (75% complete remissions). Gene expression and histological analysis of the liver showed effective remodeling of the tumor microenvironment including a significant increase in interferon and cytotoxic T-cell gene signatures and iNOS expression. PD studies were also performed in cynomolgus monkeys that demonstrated a dose-dependent and durable silencing of STAT6 mRNA (50% and 31% at 1- and 3- weeks post-dose, respectively). STAT6 knockdown correlated with a reduction in STAT6 target genes, IL4R and EGR2, confirming modulation of the STAT6 pathway. Finally, we identified a STAT6 macrophage transcriptional signature and show high expression in human HCC tumors, both in immune cell-rich and TAM-rich/CD8 T-cell low tumors that correlates with worse survival.ConclusionsIn summary, we demonstrate that exoASO-STAT6 has a durable PK/PD profile in the liver of several species and potent antitumoral efficacy in a preclinical model of HCC. Furthermore, we identify an inverse correlation between the STAT6 macrophage signature and survival in human HCC tumors. Altogether our data support the systemic administration of exoASO-STAT6 as a promising therapy for liver cancer.Ethics ApprovalFor MiceMice were maintained and treated at the animal care facility of Codiak Biosciences in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (CB2017-001).Animal housing and experimental procedures (mice) were conducted according to the French and European Regulations and the National Research Council Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Oncodesign (Oncomet) approved by French authorities (CNREEA agreement N° 91).For cynomolgus monkeys:All animals were maintained and treated at the animal care facility of Altasciences in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and recommendations set forth in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Research Council 2011).

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Guidelines for best practice in placebo-controlled experimental studies on probiotics in rodent animal models

Beneficial Microbes ◽

10.3920/bm2019.0144 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 245-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

E.M. Myles ◽

M.E. O’Leary ◽

I.D. Romkey ◽

A. Piano ◽

V. de Carvalho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Studies ◽

Best Practice ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Cross Contamination ◽

Research Protocols ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Conventional Animal ◽

Research Findings ◽

Experimental Subjects ◽

Animal Care

In the absence of established best practice standards in the probiotic field for reducing the risk of bacterial transfer between experimental groups, we developed protocols and methods to ensure the highest quality and interpretability of results from animal studies, even when performed in non-conventional animal care facilities. We describe easily implementable methods for reducing cross-contamination during animal housing, behavioural testing, and euthanasia, along with highlighting protocols for contamination detection in experimental subjects and laboratory areas using qPCR. In light of the high cross-contamination risks between animals during experiments involving probiotics, constant vigilance in animal care and research protocols is critical to ensure valid and reliable research findings.

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