Viability of

Pseudocapillaria tomentosa is an important pathogen in zebrafish facilities. We investigated heat, ultraviolet (UV) light, chlorine, iodine, and dessciation for killing the parasite's eggs. Eggs released with feces larvate in about 5–10 days, and treatments were evaluated by exposing fresh eggs and subsequently comparing larvation to untreated eggs as an indication of survival. Collectively, untreated eggs in all trials showed high levels of survival. Eggs were exposed to elevated temperatures (40°C, 45°C and 50°C) for 1, 8, or 24 h, which resulted in substantial reduction in viability of eggs. UV radiation was effective, with no larvation at 50–300 mWs/cm(2) and