What diseases do mice have? - briefly
«Mice commonly suffer from viral infections such as mouse hepatitis virus, bacterial diseases like salmonellosis, and parasitic infestations including pinworms and mites». These conditions affect laboratory colonies, pet rodents, and wild populations, necessitating regular health monitoring.
What diseases do mice have? - in detail
Mice are susceptible to a wide range of infectious, parasitic, genetic, and neoplastic conditions that frequently serve as models for human disease research.
Viral infections commonly observed in laboratory and wild rodents include:
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) – causes febrile illness, meningitis, and persistent infection in immunocompromised hosts.
- Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) – a coronavirus that induces hepatitis, enteritis, and demyelinating disease.
- Murine norovirus – produces gastroenteritis and can exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease models.
- Sendai virus – a paramyxovirus responsible for respiratory distress and pneumonia.
Bacterial pathogens affecting mice comprise:
- Salmonella spp. – lead to septicemia, enterocolitis, and systemic inflammation.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae – results in pneumonia and otitis media.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae – causes lung infection and sepsis, particularly in immunodeficient strains.
- Mycoplasma pulmonis – induces chronic respiratory disease characterized by rhinitis, bronchitis, and otitis.
Parasitic infestations encompass:
- Heligmosomoides polygyrus – intestinal nematode that modulates host immunity and causes enteropathy.
- Eimeria falciformis – coccidian parasite producing severe colitis and diarrhea.
- Syphacia obvelata – pinworm infection leading to gastrointestinal irritation and reduced weight gain.
Genetic disorders frequently studied in mice include:
- The Apc^Min^ mutation – predisposes to intestinal adenomas, mirroring familial adenomatous polyposis.
- mdx mutation – models Duchenne muscular dystrophy through dystrophin deficiency and progressive muscle degeneration.
- P53 knockout – results in spontaneous tumor formation across multiple tissues, providing insight into tumor suppressor pathways.
Neoplastic diseases observed in mouse colonies consist of:
- Lymphomas, especially in strains carrying the Mtv (mouse mammary tumor virus) provirus.
- Mammary adenocarcinomas in transgenic lines expressing oncogenes such as HER2/neu.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma in models with activated β-catenin signaling.
Environmental factors, diet, and microbiome composition influence disease expression and severity. Accurate diagnosis relies on clinical observation, serology, culture, histopathology, and molecular techniques. Preventive measures include barrier housing, regular health monitoring, and strict biosecurity protocols.