title: Use of permethrin eradicated the tropical rat mite (Ornithonyssus bacoti) from a colony of mutagenized and transgenic mice.
abstract: The tropical rat mite, Ornithonyssus bacoti, was identified in a colony of mutagenized and transgenic mice at a large academic institution. O. bacoti is an obligate, blood-feeding ectoparasite with an extensive host range. Although the source of the infestation was likely feral rodents, none were found in the room housing infested mice. We hypothesize that construction on the floor above the vivarium and compromised ceiling integrity within the animal room provided for vermin entry and subsequent O. bacoti infestation. O. bacoti infestation was eliminated by environmental decontamination with synthetic pyrethroids and weekly application of 7.4% permethrin-impregnated cotton balls to mouse caging for five consecutive weeks. Visual examination of the macroenvironment, microenvironment, and colony for 38 days confirmed the efficacy of treatment. We noted no treatment-related toxicities or effects on colony production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Mildred M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Randolph
authors.forename: Keli L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Timothy D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Mandrell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology; D006799:Housing, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008924:Mite Infestations; D008925:Mites; D009154:Mutation; D026023:Permethrin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012108:Research Personnel
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D026023:Permethrin