Helminthic Infections of Laboratory Animals in Animal House of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and the Potential Risks of Zoonotic Infections for Researchers

Background: Different parasitic diseases may be transfered from laboratory animals to human (zoonoses). The current study was designed to determine the helminthic infections in animal house of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences to prevent the possible transmission of zoonotic ones from laboratory animals to the staff and researchers. Methods: Sixty laboratory animals including mouse, rats, Guinea pigs and rabbits were randomly selected and examined for any helminthic infections. Results: 83.33% rats were infected with Syphacia muris and Aspiculuris tetraptera, 100% of Guinea pigs were infected with Paraspidodera uncinata, rabbits were infected with Passalurus ambiguous (40%), inbred BALB/C mice were infected with Hymenolepis nana (50%), Aspiculuris tetraptera (90%) and Syphacia obvelata (90%), outbred BALB/C mice were infected with Hymenolepis nana (50%), Aspiculuris tetraptera (90%), Syphacia obvelata (90%) and C57BL/6 mice were infected with Hymenolepis nana (66%), Aspiculuris tetraptera (100%) and Syphacia obvelata (100%). Our study was revealed minimum and maximum infection frequency in rabbits and guinea pigs respectively. Conclusion: It seems that low and unsuitable space of infected animals in mentioned research center was the main cause of distribution of infection among rats and mice in Animal House of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.