Mite Burden and Immunophenotypic Response to Demodex Musculi in Swiss Webster, BALB/c, C57BL/6, and NSG Mice

    August 2020 in “ Comparative medicine ”
    Mariya G Morris, Rodolfo J Ricart Arbona, Kathleen Daniels, Rui Gardner, Imaani Easthausen, W L Boteler, Gregory P Baseler, Gabrielle Pastenkos, Cheryl L. Perkins, Keith Henderson, Andrea Schietinger, Neil S Lipman
    TLDR NSG mice had the most mites, and genetic factors affect immune response and susceptibility.
    The study investigated the mite burden and immunophenotypic response to *Demodex musculi* in Swiss Webster, BALB/c, C57BL/6, and NSG mice. It found that NSG mice had the highest mite burdens, while Swiss Webster and BALB/c mice showed higher mite loads compared to C57BL/6 mice. Immunophenotypic analysis revealed distinct immune responses among the strains, with genetic factors influencing susceptibility and immune reaction. Infested immunocompetent mice developed alopecia by day 112, and topical treatment effectively eradicated mites in BALB/c mice. The study highlighted the need for *D. musculi* surveillance in mouse colonies due to potential impacts on research outcomes.
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