The experimental infection of rodents as potential, definitive hosts with Hymenolepis straminea indicated that hamsters and field mice were susceptible to infection. By comparison, laboratory mice exhibited a significantly lowered susceptibility. Artificially induced depression of the immune response enabled the parasite to be cultured in several strains of laboratory mice, and suggested that the thymus played a major role in rejection of the parasite.

A study was made of the cultural and biochemical characteristics of 17 strains of Actinobacillus isolated from laboratory rats and hamsters. 2 types were recognized which differed in their urease reaction and colony colour on blood agar. The results obtained suggest that one was Actinobacillus equuli but the other could not be identified as belonging to a described species. The characteristics of both organisms are such that they could be confused with Pasteurella pneumotropica. One of the types was isolated from tapwater.

In an epidemic outbreak of salmonellosis associated with Salmonella montevideo in 6 mouse colonies, most deaths occurred in BALB/c and ASI mice, although the carrier rate was similar in other mouse strains. The salmonella was eradicated from ASI mice of 4-6 weeks old, and the carrier rate considerably reduced at 12-26 weeks of age, by use of oral oxytetracycline in conjunction with strict hygiene measures. Housing mice on wire grids instead of wood shavings did not affect the efficacy of the treatment.

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