DEVELOPMENT OF A REAL-TIME PCR ASSAY FOR MOUSE FUR MITES AND EVALUATION OF PILOT STUDY

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.