Citrobacter rodentium

Prepared by: Michael J. Huerkamp, DVM, Diplomate ACLAM

Date: May 6, 2002

Agent: Citrobacter rodentium

Citrobacter rodentium is a bacterial pathogen of the gastrointestinal tract of mice. It does not infect humans.

Potential Hazard: None to humans. Transmission to other rodents occurs through contact with infectious feces. Clinical signs in mice may range from asymptomatic to ruffled fur, weight loss, perianal fecal pasting, rectal prolapse, and death. Citrobacter rodentium infection may confound immunologic, cancer, infectious disease or gastrointestinal physiology studies. The pathogen is typically not found in rodents purchased from commercial rodent sources and most research colonies are free of infection. Consequently, rodents infected with the pathogen are housed under BSL2 conditions to protect other mice from them.

Recommended Precautions: Animal biosafety level 2 procedures (DAR SOP 400-3) are sufficient to contain this agent and protect other mice from exposure.

References: Companion Guide to Infectious Diseases of Mice and Rats, NRC, 1991, pp. 13-14.