How is mouse fever transmitted from one mouse to another? - briefly
Mouse fever spreads mainly through direct contact with infected saliva, urine, or feces, and by inhaling aerosolized particles from contaminated bedding. Flea vectors can also transmit the pathogen between individuals.
How is mouse fever transmitted from one mouse to another? - in detail
Mouse fever spreads primarily through direct physical interaction between individuals. When an infected mouse gnaws, scratches, or engages in social grooming with a healthy counterpart, saliva, blood, or epithelial cells containing the pathogen are transferred. This route accounts for the majority of cases observed in dense colony environments.
A secondary pathway involves aerosolized particles. Infectious material expelled from the respiratory tract can become suspended in the air, especially in poorly ventilated cages. Healthy mice inhale these droplets, leading to infection of the respiratory mucosa. This mechanism is amplified during periods of heightened stress, when respiratory secretions increase.
Fecal‑oral transmission contributes significantly in settings where bedding is contaminated. The pathogen persists in droppings for several days; ingestion occurs when a mouse consumes contaminated material while grooming. Proper sanitation reduces this risk, but in wild populations the route remains common.
Additional vectors include ectoparasites such as fleas and mites. These arthropods acquire the agent while feeding on an infected host and subsequently transmit it during subsequent blood meals. Vertical transmission—passing the agent from dam to offspring through the placenta or milk—has been documented, ensuring persistence across generations.
- Direct contact (saliva, blood, skin)
- Inhalation of contaminated aerosols
- Ingestion of contaminated feces or bedding
- Ectoparasite‑mediated transfer
- Mother‑to‑offspring transmission
Effective control requires interrupting each pathway: limiting crowding, enhancing ventilation, maintaining clean bedding, controlling ectoparasite infestations, and monitoring breeding colonies for early signs of disease.