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Simple Summary: Rodents have become increasingly popular as household pets, but few studies have focused on tumors in pet rodents. Pet rodents differ from their laboratory counterparts in many aspects such as geographical preference of pet species or breeds, household raising conditions, population density, and life expectancy. Therefore, it is worth conducting this pathological study of 77 spontaneous tumors from 70 pet rodents. Overall, mammary gland tumors were common. In the meantime, mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-like sequences were found in the tissues of dogs, cats, and humans, raising the concern of whether these pets may incidentally serve as a vehicle for the cross-species transmission of MMTV to household personnel. For that purpose, nuclei acid extracted from the formalin-fixed paraffine-embedded tissues of 20 rodent mammary gland tumors was detected for MMTV env gene sequences. All tumors revealed negative results of MMTV detection. Compared to the number of studies on the neoplasms of laboratory rodents, fewer studies have focused on spontaneous neoplasms in pet rodents. Notably, the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is associated with mammary tumors in rodents. In this study, 77 tumors and tumor-like lesions of biopsy samples were collected from 70 pet rodents, including hamsters (n = 47), guinea pigs (n = 16), unknown species (n = 4), rats (n = 2), and a gerbil. Fifty tumors were collected from 47 hamsters, in which the most common tumors were mammary tumors (13/50), followed by fibrosarcoma (9/50), mast cell tumors (4/50), and squamous cell carcinoma (4/50). The collected subtypes of mammary tumors in hamsters included tubular carcinoma (n = 5), tubular adenoma (n = 4), carcinoma and malignant myoepithelioma (n = 1), simple tubular carcinoma (n = 1), adenosquamous carcinoma (n = 1), and tubulopapillary adenoma (n = 1). In addition, twenty tumors were collected from guinea pigs, in which the most common tumor was lipoma (6/20), followed by adenocarcinoma of the mammary gland (4/20), trichofolliculoma (2/20), and collagenous hamartomas (2/20). In guinea pigs, the subtypes of mammary gland tumors were tubular carcinoma (n = 2), tubular and solid carcinoma (n = 1), and tubulopapillary carcinoma (n = 1). In 20 cases of mammary tumors, MMTV was not detected, implicating no evidence of MMTV infection in mammary oncogenesis in pet rodents in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to the number of studies on the neoplasms of laboratory rodents, fewer studies have focused on spontaneous neoplasms in pet rodents. Notably, the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is associated with mammary tumors in rodents. In this study, 77 tumors and tumor-like lesions of biopsy samples were collected from 70 pet rodents, including hamsters (n = 47), guinea pigs (n = 16), unknown species (n = 4), rats (n = 2), and a gerbil. Fifty tumors were collected from 47 hamsters, in which the most common tumors were mammary tumors (13/50), followed by fibrosarcoma (9/50), mast cell tumors (4/50), and squamous cell carcinoma (4/50). The collected subtypes of mammary tumors in hamsters included tubular carcinoma (n = 5), tubular adenoma (n = 4), carcinoma and malignant myoepithelioma (n = 1), simple tubular carcinoma (n = 1), adenosquamous carcinoma (n = 1), and tubulopapillary adenoma (n = 1). In addition, twenty tumors were collected from guinea pigs, in which the most common tumor was lipoma (6/20), followed by adenocarcinoma of the mammary gland (4/20), trichofolliculoma (2/20), and collagenous hamartomas (2/20). In guinea pigs, the subtypes of mammary gland tumors were tubular carcinoma (n = 2), tubular and solid carcinoma (n = 1), and tubulopapillary carcinoma (n = 1). In 20 cases of mammary tumors, MMTV was not detected, implicating no evidence of MMTV infection in mammary oncogenesis in pet rodents in Taiwan.

Cryptosporidium spp. are common protozoan pathogens in mammals. With pet rodents being integrated into modern life, the potential roles of them in transmitting parasites to humans need assessments. In the present study, we examined the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pet rodents in Guangdong, south China. A total of 697 fecal samples were collected from 11 species of rodents in seven pet shops, one pet market and one farm. Cryptosporidium spp. were identified by PCR analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene. An overall infection rate of 36.9% (257/697) was obtained, with infection rates varying from 9.3% in chinchillas, 52.3% in guinea pigs, 57.1% in squirrels, to 68.4% in cricetid animals. Nine Cryptosporidium species and genotypes were identified, including C. wrairi (in 129 guinea pigs), C. andersoni (in 34 hamsters), C. homai (in 32 guinea pigs), Cryptosporidium hamster genotype (in 30 hamsters), C. ubiquitum (in 24 chinchillas and squirrels), C. parvum (in 2 chinchillas), Cryptosporidium ferret genotype (in 2 chipmunks), C. muris (in 1 hamster and 1 guinea pig), and Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype V (in 1 chinchilla and 1 chipmunk). Sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene identified three subtype families of C. ubiquitum, including family XIId in 15 chinchillas, XIIa in 5 chinchillas, and a new subtype family (XIIi) in 1 squirrel. The identification of C. parvum and C. ubiquitum in pet rodents suggests that these animals, especially chinchillas, could serve as reservoirs of human-pathogenic Cryptosporidium spp. Hygiene should be practiced in the rear and care of these animals, and One Health measures should be developed to reduce the occurrence of zoonotic Cryptosporidium infections due to contact with pet rodents.

Rodents are popular companion animals and are often kept as pets for children. However, they can be reservoirs of a variety of zoonotic pathogens. As little attention is being paid to the possibility of acquiring parasitic infections from pet rodents, the occurrence of Hymenolepis nana in rodents from pet shops and breeding clubs of Slovakia was surveyed, with parallel genetic analyses to type isolates from rodent species. In 2016–2018, pooled faecal samples from 119 boxes with 228 mice, 191 rats, 124 hamsters and 25 Mongolian gerbils were collected from 12 pet shops and 3 breeding clubs in five cities of eastern Slovakia. H. nana eggs were detected in 25 (21.0%) boxes. Animals from pet shops were infected more frequently (24.6% positive boxes) than those from breeding clubs (17.2%), without statistical significance. The highest prevalence was recorded in rats from pet shops, where 41.7% of boxes contained parasite eggs. Hamsters and mice in pet shops were also frequently infected; in 23.8% and 25% of boxes, respectively, H. nana eggs were observed. Prevalence in rats and hamsters from breeding clubs was lower, but in mice surpassed 40%. Nine samples with positive PCR products in any of the four DNA regions, mitochondrial cox1 and nuclear pmy, ITS1 and ITS2 targets, gave profiles characteristic of H. nana. The results imply the risk of zoonotic transmission of hymenolepiasis in Slovakia. Particular attention should be given to hygiene level maintained while keeping rodents. Furthermore, rodents intended for sale should be tested for parasites and then dewormed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this survey, intestinal helminths from pet rodents in Mérida, México, were analyzed. A total of 46 mice Mus musculus, 28 hamsters Mesocricetus auratus, 23 rats Rattus norvegicus, and 1 gerbil Meriones unguiculatus were purchased from six pet shops and one black market for wildlife in the city of Mérida. The overall prevalence of helminths in rodents was 61.2% (60/98). Six species of helminths were identified: the zoonotic cestode Rodentolepis nana, and the nematodes Aspiculuris tetraptera, Dentostomella translucida, Syphacia obvelata, Syphacia mesocriceti, and Syphacia muris. Of the 60 infected rodents, 25 (41.7%) harbored 2 or 3 species of helminths. Rodentolepis nana was found in 4.3% of mice and 17.9% of hamsters. This is the first report of infection with S. muris in pet rats. Considering the close physical contact between pet rodents and humans, the presence of R. nana in pets represents a potential risk of transmission, especially to children and immunocompromised individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We carried out the first survey of Hymenolepis spp. infection in pet rodents in Italy. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 172 pet rodents as follows: guinea pigs ( Cavia porcellus; n = 60), squirrels ( Callosciurus finlaysonii, Callosciurus prevosti, Tamias striatus, Tamias sibiricus, Sciurus calorinensis; n = 52), hamsters ( Phodopus campbelli, Mesocricetus auratus; n = 30), chinchillas ( Chinchilla lanigera; n = 13), rats ( Rattus norvegicus; n = 10), and mice ( Mus minutoides; n = 7). These animals were housed either in pet shops or in private houses. All fecal samples were processed using the FLOTAC pellet technique to assess the number of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces. Eggs of Hymenolepis nana were found in 24 out of 172 (13.9 %; 95 % confidence interval = 9.3-20.2 %) pet rodents. Of those rodents, 41.6 % (10/24) were rats (mean EPG = 55.7; range = 2-200), 29.2 % (7/24) mice (mean EPG = 64.5; range = 32-120), 25.0 % (6/24) were chinchillas (mean EPG = 25.5; range = 10-50), and 4.2 % (1/24) hamsters ( P. campbelli) (EPG = 86.0). In addition, Hymenolepis diminuta eggs were found in 2 out of 172 (1.2 %; 95 % confidence interval = 0.2-4.6 %) rodents examined, both of which (100 %; 2/2) were pet squirrels ( C. prevosti) (mean EPG = 10; range = 4-16). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a natural infection of H. diminuta in pet squirrels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study investigated the occurrence of endoparasites in pet squirrels in southern Italy. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 50 asymptomatic pet squirrels belonging to five different species (Callosciurus finlaysonii, n =6, C. prevosti, n =6; Tamias striatus, n =26, T. sibiricus, n =10; Sciurus carolinensis, n =2) housed both in pet shops and/or in private residences. All fecal samples were processed using the FLOTAC pellet technique to identify and count helminth eggs/larvae and protozoan cysts/oocysts. In addition, to detect Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. the samples were analyzed by the Remel Xpect® immunoassay. Helminth eggs were detected in 9 out of 50 squirrels. Specifically, eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum were found in 5 squirrels (C. finlaysonii, n =2; C. prevosti, n =2; T. striatus, n =1); eggs of the pinworm Syphacia spp. in 3 squirrels (C. prevosti, n =2; T. striatus, n =1); and eggs of gastrointestinal nematoda (Nippostrongylus-like) were found in 1 subject (C. prevosti). Finally, two squirrels (C. prevosti) had multiple parasitic infections with D. dendriticum and Capillaria hepatica, and with D. dendriticum and Strongyloides spp., respectively. None of the samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. or Giardia spp. or any other protozoa (e.g. Eimeria). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a D. dendriticum natural infection in pet rodents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cryptosporidium spp. are common protozoan pathogens in mammals. With pet rodents being integrated into modern life, the potential roles of them in transmitting parasites to humans need assessments. In the present study, we examined the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pet rodents in Guangdong, south China. A total of 697 fecal samples were collected from 11 species of rodents in seven pet shops, one pet market and one farm. Cryptosporidium spp. were identified by PCR analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene. An overall infection rate of 36.9% (257/697) was obtained, with infection rates varying from 9.3% in chinchillas, 52.3% in guinea pigs, 57.1% in squirrels, to 68.4% in cricetid animals. Nine Cryptosporidium species and genotypes were identified, including C. wrairi (in 129 guinea pigs), C. andersoni (in 34 hamsters), C. homai (in 32 guinea pigs), Cryptosporidium hamster genotype (in 30 hamsters), C. ubiquitum (in 24 chinchillas and squirrels), C. parvum (in 2 chinchillas), Cryptosporidium ferret genotype (in 2 chipmunks), C. muris (in 1 hamster and 1 guinea pig), and Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype V (in 1 chinchilla and 1 chipmunk). Sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene identified three subtype families of C. ubiquitum , including family XIId in 15 chinchillas, XIIa in 5 chinchillas, and a new subtype family (XIIi) in 1 squirrel. The identification of C. parvum and C. ubiquitum in pet rodents suggests that these animals, especially chinchillas, could serve as reservoirs of human-pathogenic Cryptosporidium spp. Hygiene should be practiced in the rear and care of these animals, and One Health measures should be developed to reduce the occurrence of zoonotic Cryptosporidium infections due to contact with pet rodents., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2021 The Author(s).)

The present study investigated the occurrence of endoparasites in pet squirrels in southern Italy. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 50 asymptomatic pet squirrels belonging to five different species (Callosciurus finlaysonii, n=6, C. prevosti, n=6; Tamias striatus, n=26, T. sibiricus, n=10; Sciurus carolinensis, n=2) housed both in pet shops and/or in private residences. All fecal samples were processed using the FLOTAC pellet technique to identify and count helminth eggs/larvae and protozoan cysts/oocysts. In addition, to detect Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. the samples were analyzed by the Remel Xpect(®) immunoassay. Helminth eggs were detected in 9 out of 50 squirrels. Specifically, eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum were found in 5 squirrels (C. finlaysonii, n=2; C. prevosti, n=2; T. striatus, n=1); eggs of the pinworm Syphacia spp. in 3 squirrels (C. prevosti, n=2; T. striatus, n=1); and eggs of gastrointestinal nematoda (Nippostrongylus-like) were found in 1 subject (C. prevosti). Finally, two squirrels (C. prevosti) had multiple parasitic infections with D. dendriticum and Capillaria hepatica, and with D. dendriticum and Strongyloides spp., respectively. None of the samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. or Giardia spp. or any other protozoa (e.g. Eimeria). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a D. dendriticum natural infection in pet rodents., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)