What diseases do rats and mice have? - briefly
Rats and mice commonly contract bacterial infections (e.g., Salmonella, Leptospira), viral diseases (e.g., Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus, Sendai virus), parasitic infestations (e.g., pinworms, mites), and fungal conditions such as dermatophytosis.
What diseases do rats and mice have? - in detail
Rats and mice serve as laboratory models and urban pests, and both species are susceptible to a wide range of pathogenic conditions.
Bacterial diseases commonly encountered include:
- Salmonella spp. infections causing enteritis and septicemia
- Yersinia pestis leading to plague, transmitted by fleas
- Leptospira spp. producing leptospirosis with renal involvement
- Streptobacillus moniliformis causing rat‑bite fever in humans and rodents
- Clostridium spp. responsible for tetanus and botulism
Viral illnesses affecting these rodents comprise:
- Hantavirus strains (e.g., Seoul virus) causing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) leading to neurological disease
- Sendai virus and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) producing respiratory and hepatic pathology respectively
- Rat coronavirus (RCV) associated with enteric disease
Parasitic infestations involve several groups:
- Protozoa such as Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba spp. causing intestinal disturbances
- Helminths including Syphacia obvelata (pinworm) and Hymenolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm) that induce gastrointestinal symptoms
- Ectoparasites like Polyplax spp. (lice) and Ornithonyssus bacoti (tropical rat mite) leading to dermatitis and anemia
Fungal infections, though less frequent, are documented:
- Candida spp. causing opportunistic candidiasis in immunocompromised animals
- Dermatophytes such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes producing skin lesions
Non‑infectious disorders also occur:
- Spontaneous neoplasms, notably mammary adenocarcinoma in rats and lymphomas in mice
- Metabolic diseases including obesity‑related diabetes and fatty liver disease
- Genetic conditions such as dwarfism, coat color mutations, and sensorineural hearing loss
Understanding the spectrum of ailments in these rodents is essential for research integrity, public health surveillance, and effective pest management.