Very heavy parasite loads may lead to catarrhal enteritis, liver granulomas, and perianal irritation. Immunity is probably mostly humoral, as for many other helminthiases. There are a few reports documenting the effects of pinworms on research. Pinworm infection resulted in significantly higher antibody production to sheep erythrocytes, reduced the occurrence of adjuvant-induced arthritis, and impaired intestinal electrolyte transport. While many consider pinworm infection irrelevant in laboratory rodents, specific research goals may justify the eradication of pinworms from an animal colony.
Rodent pinworms display some host-specificity, although some can cross species barriers.
In general, Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera are considered mouse pinworms, Syphacia muris the rat pinworm, Syphacia mesocricetus the hamster pinworm, and Denstomella translucida the gerbil pinworm. Syphacia spp . Infestation occurs via ova ingestion. The eggs are very light and have been shown to aerosolize, resulting in widespread exposure. No clinical signs are usually seen, although it has been reported that heavy parasite loads may lead to rectal prolapse or perianal irritation.