Fur Mite PCR Now Available from Charles River
May 3, 2011 - Charles River now offers a simpler and more efficient way to screen your mice and rats for fur mites. Over the last 12 months, our R&D team at Research Animal Diagnostic Services has worked diligently to optimize sensitive and specific TaqMan® PCR assays to meet your fur mite surveillance needs. This past year, we identified rodent fur mites and sequenced DNA from a number of species. While this was time consuming - as rodent fur mites have not been extensively sequenced - it allowed us to identify mites at the species level for the most precise diagnosis. In addition, we sequenced several other arthropods that are sometimes misidentified as fur mites (e.g., book lice, grain mites) to ensure our PCR assays could distinguish parasitic fur mites from free-living mites and insects of no concern.
What species do the Charles River fur mite PCR assays detect?
Our new assays can detect and speciate the most common fur mites infesting mice and rats today:
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Myobia musculi
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Radfordia affinis
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Radfordia ensifera
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Myocoptes musculinus
Is the fur mite PCR included in any PCR panels?
The Charles River fur mite PCR is now included in the Prevalent Rodent Infectious Agent (PRIA) PCR Panel with the addition of a fur swab as a sample type. Other PCR panels can be easily customized to include the fur mite assay or any other available agent. Contact Charles River at askcharlesriver@crl.com for more information.
How do I submit samples to Charles River?
The primary sample type for the fur mite PCR is a fur swab. Charles River provides free swabs specifically selected to enhance sensitivity in our fur mite PCR assays. To obtain a sample for submittal, swab the entire surface of the animal with the fur swab, going against the direction of hair growth. Cover as much surface area as possible, as fur mites may be few in number and like to hide at the base of the hairs. Ideally the entire body should be swabbed firmly; however, the most important areas to swab include the following:
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Around ears
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Base of neck
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Under chin
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Inguinal areas
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Base of tail
If you perform routine parasitology in your own diagnostic laboratory, our fur mite PCR assays can be used to speciate an unidentified egg. Complimentary sample shipping vials are available upon request.
Ship samples to Charles River in the insulated shipping containers provided to you free of charge. Please include a completed Infectious Disease PCR Submission Form.
Questions?
Our professional staff members are available to speak with you regarding any aspect of your health surveillance program. To speak with a Charles River representative or to receive pricing for any testing service, contact us at askcharlesriver@crl.com.
Related Information
Additional information on fur mite PCR, including a podcast by one of our scientists in Molecular Diagnostics, is available in The SourceSM. To register for The SourceSM, our scientific and educational information portal, please click here. If you are already a member, click here to log in and access the podcast.