title: Epistylididae ectoparasites in a colony of African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis).
abstract: This report describes the discovery and treatment of a multiagent infection in a captive colony of adult, female Xenopus laevis. Animals were determined to be infected with Saprolegnia sp, a relatively common fungal parasite in laboratory-housed frogs, and a less common ectoparasite, Epistylis sp, that had been described only once before in frogs. We discuss the diagnosis, pathology, and treatment of Epistylis and the importance of water-quality monitoring and husbandry in the care of these research animals.
authors.affiliation: Charles River Laboratories, Domaine Des Oncins, France.
authors.forename: Kathleen R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Pritchett
authors.forename: George E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D000557:Ambystoma / Q000382:microbiology; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000592:standards; D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D016770:Ciliophora Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D016802:Oligohymenophorea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D044762:Saprolegnia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D012965:Sodium Chloride