Journal of Animal Research: v.5 n.2, p. 377-379. June 2015

DOI Number: 10.5958/2277-940X.2015.00064.9

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Incidence of Cystic Liver Caused by Cysticercus fasciolaris in Laboratory Rat

Saurabh Chawla* 1 and Sarita Jena 2

1 Animal Facility, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, INDIA

2 Animal Facility, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, INDIA

*Corresponding author: S Chawla; Email: drchawlasaurabh@gmail.com

Received: 01 November, 2014

Accepted: 30 April, 2015

ABSTRACT

Herein we are reporting about an incidence of Cysticercus fasciolaris infestation in a male and female Sprague Dawley

housed for experimental purpose . The clinical finding includes anorexia and dullness. Post mortem examination of both the

animals revealed cystic liver with irregular lump of hard tissue attached to left lateral lobe of liver in male rat. A thin, pale

white segmented larva with distinct head was found lodged inside the cyst in both the animals. Based upon the morphological

features, the larva was identified to be intermediate stage of Taenia taeniaeformis which is a tapeworm of cat with rodents acting

as intermediate host. Most of the rodent facilities do not screen laboratory animals for presence of this parasite in regular health

monitoring procedures. The findings are important due to impact of this parasite on animal health, research studies and sporadic

zoonotic potential.

Keywords : Rat, cystic liver, tapeworm

Laboratory animals often get exposed to variety of parasitic

stage. The infection is carried and transmitted through rat

diseases due to breach in biosecurity measures. Unwanted

to other feline carnivores (Soulsby, 2005; Baker, 2007).

parasitic diseases may get introduced into experimental

The source of infection in laboratory animals may through

rodent causing deviation in animal health and research

contamination of feed, bedding and water with cat faeces

implications.

carrying embryonated eggs during routine husbandry

Taenia taeniaeformis is a common parasite of cat and

operations, although a rare occurrence in a well-established

its intermediate stage called Cysticercus fasciolaris is

animal facilities. Another possibility, which is less thought

generally found to infect wild rat ( Baker,2007 ). Cysticercus

of, is entry of infection during transportation of laboratory

fasciolaris can be identified based upon morphological

rodents between institutions. Organized animal facilities

features and is generally lodged in liver parenchyma

generally do not include testing of this parasite during

of rodents (Sinniah et al ., 2014).

The infestation of

routine quarantine and health monitoring programme.

laboratory rat with this parasite compromises the health

Here in this study we report accidental occurrence and

status of experimental animals, may have vast research

post mortem findings of Cysticercus fasciolaris, the

implications and also carry a zoonotic risk for animal

metacestode stage of tapeworm Taenia taeniaeformis in

care staff (Miyazaki, 1991; Easterbrook et al., 2007). T .

laboratory rat.

taeniaeformis is although cosmopolitan in distribution

Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats, housed in

but its presence in laboratory animals is a rare occurrence

autoclaved polysulfonate cages with corncob bedding,

(Miyazaki, 1991; Singla et al., 2008). Wild and domestic

pellet feed and water bottles, were reported to be anorectic

cats of family felidae act as definitive hosts for this parasite

and dull, as observed by the animal care staff personnel.

which passes embryonated eggs in their feces which in

The affected rats were retired breeders and purchased

turn may be ingested by rats. These eggs hatch in small

from same source. Physical examination and palpation

intestine of rats and embryos are passed through portal

revealed enlarged abdomen with thick and firm lumpy

circulation to liver, where they develop into infective