Hematology and Clinical Chemistry Reference Ranges for Laboratory-Bred Natal Multimammate Mice (<i>Mastomys natalensis</i>)
David M. Wozniak,
Norman Kirchoff,
Katharina Hansen-Kant,
Nafomon Sogoba,
David Safronetz,
Joseph Prescott
Affiliations
David M. Wozniak
ZBS5—Biosafety Level-4 Laboratory, Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Norman Kirchoff
ZBS5—Biosafety Level-4 Laboratory, Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Katharina Hansen-Kant
ZBS5—Biosafety Level-4 Laboratory, Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Nafomon Sogoba
International Center for Excellence in Research, Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 91094, Mali
David Safronetz
Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
Joseph Prescott
ZBS5—Biosafety Level-4 Laboratory, Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Laboratory-controlled physiological data for the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) are scarce, despite this species being a known reservoir and vector for zoonotic viruses, including the highly pathogenic Lassa virus, as well as other arenaviruses and many species of bacteria. For this reason, M. natalensis is an important rodent for the study of host-virus interactions within laboratory settings. Herein, we provide basic blood parameters for age- and sex-distributed animals in regards to blood counts, cell phenotypes and serum chemistry of a specific-pathogen-monitored M.natalensis breeding colony, to facilitate scientific insight into this important and widespread rodent species.
