An outbreak of hexamitiasis in laboratory mice

Abstract

Hexamitiasis was encountered in a breeding colony of C(3)H/HeJ mice. The disease was observed in animals under three weeks of age. It was characterized clinically by retarded development, hunched attitude, lethargy, and in some cases by diarrhea and death. Lesions were noted particularly in the duodenum. The intestinal contents were watery and foamy. Histologically, cyst-like formations due to the dilation of the glands of Lieberkühn were seen together with inflammatory reaction in the lamina propria and sloughing of the epithelium. The infection was controlled by the routine administration of dimetridazole in the drinking water.