DEVELOPMENT OF A REAL-TIME PCR ASSAY FOR MOUSE FUR MITES AND EVALUATION OF PILOT STUDY
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Date
2019-03-22
Department
Biomedial Science
Program
Hood College Graduate School Biomedical Science Program
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Abstract
Mouse fur mites Myobia musculi and Myocoptes musculinus are common parasites
of mice and present a unique challenge for exclusion from laboratory animal facilities. In
this study, a real-time PCR test was developed to detect both mouse fur mites using distinct
dye in a single reaction well. Confirmatory endpoint PCR tests were also designed, to
confirm equivocal results. The assays were then tested during a pilot study, where known
positive animals were used to evaluate the accuracy of environmental targets for screening.
In all cages were mice were positive for the fur mite real-time PCR, environmental targets
were also positive within 10 days of placement in a new, clean cage. This study shows that
the real-time PCR assay and environmental targets are an effective combination for
screening of mouse fur mites in laboratory animal facilities.