Comparative Medicine Volume 74: Issue 3

The globally important human diseases of trench fever, epidemic typhus, and relapsing fever are vectored by the human louse Pediculus humanus humanus. Although these conditions are epidemically quiescent at present, they persist in socially dysfunctional situations of war, deprivation, and crowding. The taxonomically closely related head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, does not respect economic or social status and is quite common in most countries. The 2 types of lice are now recognized as conspecific ecotypes of a single species. While the body louse has been adapted for propagation in the laboratory by feeding in vivo on live rabbits, a similar animal model has not been developed for the host-specific head louse. Accordingly, research for treatment and control of the head louse has largely been performed by using laboratory-reared body lice. This review describes methods for the propagation of body lice in the laboratory and outlines at least 4 areas of research that require sufficient numbers of aged body louse cohorts produced in rabbits for use in controlled studies: 1) pediculicide development and resistance, 2) immunity and vaccine potential, 3) endosymbiotic bacteria needed by lice for nutrition, and 4) lice as vectors of human disease. The review concludes with a discussion of several ethical issues involved with the standard method of using unsedated rabbits and recommends consideration of providing sedating anesthetics for rabbits used in louse feeding procedures.

Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection affecting an estimated 51.4 million people. Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi are used in research because common nonprimate research species such as Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), cats (Felis catus), and dogs (Canis familiaris) can maintain the life cycle of these species of filarial nematodes. Although overall care and management of animals infected with Brugia spp. is relatively straightforward, there are some unique challenges and special considerations that must be addressed when managing a research colony infected with these parasites. In this review, we discuss our experience, share insight into biosafety and clinical management, and describe the expected clinical signs associated with Brugia infection in gerbils, cats, and dogs.

Leishmaniasis, a disease of global relevance, results from infection with the protozoan parasite, Leishmania, which is transmitted to susceptible hosts through the bite of sand flies. Multiple forms of leishmaniasis may occur, including cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral. Research with animal models remains an important approach to help define basic pathophysiologic processes associated with infection and disease. In this regard, mice and hamsters represent the most commonly used models. The severity of leishmaniasis in animal models depends on several factors, including genotype of the host and parasite and the dose and route of administration of the parasite to the host, and severity of outcome may range from subclinical to severe illness. This review provides basic background on leishmaniasis, relevant animal models, the pathophysiology and clinical signs in animals used as models of leishmaniasis, and general approaches to mitigate risk to personnel.

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The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) currently publishes two journals containing data-driven, peer-reviewed articles.

The mission of Comparative Medicine (CM) is to disseminate high-quality, peer-reviewed information that expands biomedical knowledge and promotes human and animal health through the study of laboratory animal disease, animal models of disease, and basic biologic mechanisms related to disease in people and animals.

Baseline Characterization of Swine Leukocyte Antigen Diversity in GFP-Expressing Domestic Swine

Anshaal FurrukhMBBS,

Herra JavedMBBS,

Kristin WhitworthPhD,

Louis SteenBS,

Chak-Sum HoPhD,,

Malik F AyyadBS, and

Taufiek Konrad RajabMD, DrMed

Comparison of Dexmedetomidine/Morphine and Xylazine/Morphine as Premedication in Isoflurane-Anesthetized Sheep

Ekkapol AkaraphutipornDVM, PhD,

Patmanachatr BunnagDVM, PhD,

Vudhiporn LimprasutrDVM, PhD,

Kasem RattanapinyopitukDVM, MSc, PhD, DTBVP,

Sumit DurongphongtornDVM, DVSc, DTBVS,

Luisito S PabloDVM, DACVAA,

Patrick SharpDVM, MRCVS, MANZCVS, DACLAM,

Cholawat PacharinsakDVM, PhD, DACVAA, and

Chalika WangdeeDVM, MSc, PhD, DTBVS, De Facto AiCVS

The Use of Rabbits Used to Propagate Human Lice for Research

An Overview of Management Considerations for Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), Cats (Felis catus), and Dogs (Canis familiaris) as Hosts for Brugia Infection

Overview and Approaches for Handling of Animal Models of Leishmaniasis

Serologic Cross-reactivity of Murine Parvovirus Capsid Antigens

Evaluating a Reduction in Treatment Duration of Ivermectin Diet for Fur Mite (Radfordia affinis) Eradication in Mice

Comparison of Thermal and Mechanical Pain Testing Modalities in Sprague Dawley and Fischer 344 Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

A Retrospective Analysis of Liraglutide (GLP-1 Agonist) Use in a Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) Model of Auditory Blast Injury

The Use of Guanfacine to Mediate Anxiety-related Reactivity and Reduce Associated Agonistic Behavior in Two Pigtail Macaques (Macaca nemestrina)

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Laboratory Animal Science Professional: July/August 2025

Baseline Characterization of Swine Leukocyte Antigen Diversity in GFP-Expressing Domestic Swine

Evaluation of 415-nm Blue Light and Hypochlorous Acid on the Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) Cranial Implant Microbiota

Best Practices for Supporting Professional Identity Formation during Laboratory Animal Medicine Residency Training

Comparison of Dexmedetomidine/Morphine and Xylazine/Morphine as Premedication in Isoflurane-Anesthetized Sheep