{"topic_id":"evidence_exotic_gerbil_husbandry_health","category":"evidence","context":"---\ntopic_id: evidence_exotic_gerbil_husbandry_health\ncategory: evidence\ntitle: \"Evidence cluster — Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC)\"\nlang: en\nsource: \"Europe PMC (Europe PubMed Central) REST search, first-hand peer-reviewed abstracts, pulled 2026-08-01\"\nsource_file: pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_gerbil_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt\ndate_parsed: 2026-08-01\ntokens_estimated: 5373\nverification:\n method: substring_match\n claims: 12\n passed: 12\n date: 2026-08-01\nsource_document: \"Peer-reviewed Gerbil husbandry/health/nutrition literature (Europe PMC, first-hand abstracts)\"\ncitation:\n authority: \"Europe PMC\"\n title: \"Evidence cluster — Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC)\"\n url: \"https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/\"\n retrieved: \"2026-08-01\"\n doc_type: \"first-hand abstracts (Europe PMC REST)\"\n needs_review: false\n---\n\n# Evidence: Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) husbandry, health & nutrition\n\nSource: Europe PMC (Europe PubMed Central) REST search — first-hand peer-reviewed abstract records, pulled 2026-08-01.\nQueries covered husbandry, health/disease/parasitology, and nutrition/feeding for Meriones unguiculatus.\nThe cluster returns **12** representative studies with abstracts below. Abstract text is verbatim from source; each study is traceable by PMID.\n\n## Studies\n- **PMID 41995082 (2026, eLife)** — Cdhr1a and pcdh15b may link photoreceptor outer segments with calyceal processes revealing a potential mechanism for cone-rod dystrophy.. Abstract (opening): Cone-rod dystrophy (CRD) is a macular degeneration disorder characterized by initial cone cell degeneration. Mutations in CDHR1, a photoreceptor-specific cadherin, have been found to be associated with the incidence of CRD. While studying the function of CDHR1, we observed that the localization of the zebrafish homologue, cdhr1a, resembles that of calyceal process (CPs). When co-labeling CPs using pcdh15b, we observed that cdhr1a, in the outer segment (OS), juxtaposes with pcdh15b, found in the CP. Similar localization patterns were detected in human, macaque, xenopus, ducks, gerbil, and mouse. Using immunoprecipitation and K652 cell aggregation assays, we demonstrate that pcdh15b and cdhr1a can interact and thus potentially link the OS and CP. To analyze the consequences of OS-CP interactions in CRD, we established a cdhr1a mutant line (cdhr1afs*146). Homozygous cdhr1afs*146 mutants exhibit minor cone OS defects starting at 15 dpf and severe OS disruption and cell loss by 3 months. Shortening of CPs coincided with cone OS defects which were significantly exacerbated when combined with the loss of pcdh15b. Rod OS defects were mild and delayed until 3-6 months. In conclusion, we propose that cdhr1a and pcdh15b function to link cone OSs with CPs and maintain OS integrity.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41995082/\n- **PMID 41623382 (2026, PeerJ)** — Sex differences in gut microbiota composition, function, and assembly in the plateau zokor (<i>Eospalax baileyi</i>).. Abstract (opening): Background
Gut microbiota play a vital role in nutrient metabolism, immune regulation, and host homeostasis. However, the role of sex differences in shaping the gut microbiota of plateau zokors (Eospalax baileyi) remains unclear. The present study aims to explore how sex influences the composition, function, and assembly processes of the gut microbiota in plateau zokors.Methods
In this study, we performed Illumina 16S rRNA (V3-V4) sequencing on 15 gastrointestinal samples to assess sex-related differences in gut bacterial diversity, function, and community assembly.Results
No significant differences were observed in species richness or diversity between males and females; however, the gut microbial community structures differed significantly by sex (p < 0.01). At the phylum level, both sexes shared dominant phyla, including Firmicutes, Desulfobacterota, and Bacteroidota. Across both the phylum and genus levels, males and females shared the same dominant taxa, yet their relative abundances exhibited clear sex-specific differences. PICRUSt-based functional prediction indicated that the gut microbiota were mainly associated with energy metabolism, DNA repair, and cellular defense. Significant sex-related differences were detected in metabolic functions (p < 0.05), with males showing higher carbohydrate metabolism (p < 0.05), while females exhibited stronger xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism (p < 0.05). Neutral community model (NCM) analysis showed that males (Nm = 228.21) had higher Nm values than females (Nm = 213.44), indicating greater microbial dispersal among males. Standardized neutrality score (NST) values (<0.5) indicated that deterministic processes predominantly governed community assembly in both sexes, with males exhibiting significantly lower values than females (p < 0.001). iCAMP analysis further revealed that drift and dispersal limitation were the primary assembly processes, with significant sex-related differences (p < 0.001).Conclusion
Sex differences markedly influence gut microbial structure, functions, and assembly processes in plateau zokors, offering new insights into the adaptive evolution of this species in cold, hypoxic environments.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41623382/\n- **PMID 41776390 (2026, Biological procedures online)** — Conventional and Novel Approaches to Establishing Mouse Models of Gastric Cancer in the Past, Present, and Potential Post-H. Pylori Infection Era.. Abstract (opening): Gastric cancer remains a major cause of global cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Mouse models are indispensable tools for preclinical research into its mechanisms and therapies. Although Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the primary risk factor for gastric cancer, developing mouse models based on this pathogen faces significant challenges. These include low bacterial colonization and survival rates, unpredictable and protracted tumorigenesis timelines, restrictions of host genetic backgrounds, the complexity of inflammatory and immune microenvironments, difficulties in standardized pathological assessment, and poor model reproducibility. In light of these limitations, research efforts have diversified into four principal categories of modeling approaches: chemical carcinogen-induced models, microbe-infected models (particularly those involving H. pylori), xenograft models, and genetically engineered mouse models. Each strategy offers distinct advantages and constraints, necessitating careful selection based on specific research objectives. This review comprehensively examines both conventional and emerging methods for establishing gastric cancer mouse models, situating them within a historical and evolving research landscape from past reliance on H. pylori to present and future approaches in the potential post-H. pylori infection era. We emphasize the applicability and compatibility of each modeling system with particular research goals, providing critical insights for selecting optimal in vivo platforms to advance the study of gastric carcinogenesis.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41776390/\n- **PMID 41984800 (2026, G3 (Bethesda, Md.))** — Gene regulation in response to host sex and infection route in Brugia pahangi with new genome annotation.. Abstract (opening): Male rodents are almost exclusively used for experimental maintenance of filarial nematodes because they have higher susceptibility to parasitism than female rodents. This study investigates the effects that rodent host sex has on the worm transcriptome for subcutaneous (SQ) infections and intraperitoneal (IP) infections. Significantly more adult worms were recovered from IP-infected gerbils (median = 78 worms/infected animal) relative to SQ-infected gerbils (median = 2 worms/infected animal). Microfilaria production in male gerbils infected via the SQ route (mean = 6.62 microfilariae (mf)/20 µL, median = 5.65 mf/20 µL) was significantly greater than in female gerbils (mean = 0.43 mf/20 µL, median = 0 mf/20 µL). Male gerbils were also significantly more susceptible to SQ infection than females with a prevalence of 90% (n = 20) in males vs 27% (n = 29) in female gerbils. There was no significant difference in the number of adult worms recovered between male and female gerbils for either infection route. No statistically significant gene expression differences were observed in comparisons of worms of the same life stage/sex from male and female gerbils. In subcutaneously infected gerbils, the identification of differentially expressed genes was likely precluded by the markedly different transcript profiles between replicates. However, the transcriptional profiles for IP-infected gerbils were homogenous suggesting that the host sex does not alter nematode gene expression in the life stages examined from the IP model. The lack of impact of host sex on the transcriptome of worms isolated from IP-infected gerbils reinforces the use of male gerbils as the primary rearing host for these parasites. Genome annotation of B. pahangi is reported as it was required for this differential expression analysis.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41984800/\n- **PMID 42179359 (2026, Frontiers in parasitology)** — Transgenesis and targeted mutagenesis in the human-parasitic nematode <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i>.. Abstract (opening): Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil-transmitted helminth that is responsible for an estimated 300-600 million human infections worldwide, mostly in impoverished areas of tropical and sub-tropical countries. To date, S. stercoralis is also the only human-parasitic nematode that is amenable to the generation of stable transgenic or mutant lines that can be maintained indefinitely by passage through a laboratory host, the Mongolian gerbil. Because of its health significance and ease of genetic manipulation, S. stercoralis has rapidly emerged as a model system for understanding the molecular and cellular basis of nematode parasitism. In this mini-review, we discuss the approaches used to generate transgenic and mutant S. stercoralis, with an emphasis on approaches for generating stable transgenic or knockout lines. We also discuss how these approaches are enabling new insights into the basic biology of these highly pathogenic, and sometimes deadly, human parasites.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42179359/\n- **PMID 41754451 (2026, Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland))** — Transient Intraperitoneal Residence of <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> Larvae in the Mongolian Gerbil (<i>Meriones unguiculatus</i>).. Abstract (opening): Understanding the determinants of host specificity in Dirofilaria immitis can be advanced through the use of the nonpermissive Mongolian gerbil (jird) model. We hypothesized that host immunity dictates D. immitis establishment following the third larval molt. Jirds were infected intraperitoneally with 100 Brugia malayi (permissive control) or D. immitis third-stage larvae (L3). Necropsies occurred at 1, 3, 10, and 36 days post infection (dpi) to quantify larvae via peritoneal lavage. Initial recovery at 1 dpi showed 37.4% for B. malayi but only 0.4% for D. immitis (p < 0.0001). Dirofilaria immitis recovery increased to 23.6% by 3 dpi, suggesting a period of transient tissue residence during the third molt. Recovery for both species decreased by 10 dpi. Brugia malayi reached the immature adult stage (15.2%) by 36 dpi, whereas no viable D. immitis were recovered (p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that D. immitis larvae encounter a robust cellular response, primarily macrophages, shortly after the third molt. Identifying the specific larval stage at which establishment fails provides critical insight into the mechanisms governing filarial host specificity.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41754451/\n- **PMID 42166495 (2026, PLoS neglected tropical diseases)** — Zoonotic leishmaniasis in China: Current status and challenges to elimination.. Abstract (opening): Leishmaniasis is expanding worldwide along with sand fly vectors. In China, particular challenges arise from its broad climatic and ecological gradients, the diversity of phlebotomine sand fly species, and numerous potential mammalian and reptilian hosts. Two ecological types of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are recognized: anthroponotic VL (AVL) caused by Leishmania donovani and zoonotic VL (ZVL) caused by Leishmania infantum, which is subdivided into mountain-type (MT-ZVL) where dogs are the main reservoir, and desert-type (DT-ZVL) with uncertain reservoirs. Over the last decade, VL has re-emerged in central and northern regions of China, with increasing MT-ZVL notifications and evidence of canine infections in geographical areas where transmission had not previously been reported. This review synthesizes three decades of literature on canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and its vectors in China, focusing on domestic and wild reservoirs in the maintenance of zoonotic VL. Molecular studies reveal substantial genetic heterogeneity within the L. donovani complex and frequent discordance between single-locus markers (e.g., ITS1, cytb) and higher-resolution approaches (MLST/MLMT). Leishmania infection in dogs is most common in western foci, with high detection rates ranging from 24.8% to 77.2%, especially in Gansu and Sichuan Provinces, where subclinical infections predominate. Also, evidence of co-circulating unclassified Leishmania lineages related to Sauroleishmania complicates diagnosis and surveillance. Vector ecology, including the endophilic/exophilic behavior of Phlebotomus chinensis and the role of P. sichuanensis at high altitudes, overlaps with environmental change, dog management, and increasing stray dog populations, thereby amplifying transmission risk. Based on available data, dog culling is ineffective for long-term control of CanL due to poor diagnostics, rapid replacement of culled dogs, and ecological complexity. Conversely, vector control and bite prevention, using topical pyrethroid repellents (collars, spot-on pipettes) and possibly oral isoxazolines, should be implemented in dogs as control measures after appropriate field evaluation. Key gaps include insufficient canine surveillance and validation of diagnostic tools, as well as incomplete characterization of wildlife reservoirs. Strengthened One Health surveillance, integrating genomics, vector studies, and reservoir investigations, is essential to guide targeted control and predict future spread.Methods
The PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases were searched from 1950 to 2025 for peer-reviewed publications reporting the genetic diversity of Leishmania species, the epidemiology and prevalence of zoonotic VL and CanL, and trends in their spatial and temporal distribution in China for this narrative review. Three search strings were employed in these databases to; (1) identify reservoir host and sand fly vectors for leishmaniasis in China, (2) identify the epidemiology (risk factors, re-emergence, trends) and control and prevention of leishmaniasis in China, (3) identify the diversity of Leishmania species in China. The protocols for database searches are provided in the Supporting Information. The China National Knowledge Infrastructure database was additionally searched to obtain Leishmania prevalence data in animals. Data were extracted from articles published in English and Chinese. After removal of duplicates, abstracts of 865 articles were screened for relevance, from which 279 full-text articles were reviewed to extract relevant information. Articles were included for final review (n = 129) if they contained data on molecular and/or serological Leishmania infection-rate data in dogs, the genetic diversity of Leishmania species in China, computational trends in VL, reservoir hosts for Leishmania species and, sand fly vectors in China.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42166495/\n- **PMID 42068468 (2026, Acta parasitologica)** — First Detection and Molecular Characterization of Entamoeba spp. in Pet Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) and Fat-Tailed Gerbils (Pachyuromys duprasi) in China.. Abstract (opening): Purpose
Entamoeba spp. are anaerobic protists primarily inhabiting vertebrate digestive tracts, some of which are pathogenic or zoonotic. However, genetic information on Entamoeba spp. in rodents, including gerbils, is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and molecular characterization of Entamoeba in two pet gerbil species in China.Methods
A total of 120 fecal samples were collected from pet Mongolian gerbils and fat-tailed gerbils (60 each) purchased from six pet shops in three provinces. Microscopy, PCR, and sequence analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene were used for detection and identification.Results
The overall Entamoeba infection rate was 10.0%, with 11.7% (7/60) in Mongolian gerbils and 8.3% (5/60) in fat-tailed gerbils. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses identified E. muris (n = 10) and a novel conditional lineage designated Entamoeba CL-FTG (n = 2). Three E. muris sequence types were detected (88.6%-100% similarity), all closely related to the reference sequence AB445018 from a Mongolian gerbil, with 90.02% to 100% similarities. Entamoeba CL-FTG from two fat-tailed gerbils was most closely related to Entamoeba RL11 from a field vole, with 86.44% similarity. Cysts of E. muris from both gerbil species were morphologically similar, differing only slightly in size. No zoonotic E. histolytica/E. dispar DNA was detected.Conclusion
This study provides the first molecular characterization of eight-nucleated Entamoeba in pet gerbils in China and the first report of E. muris cysts and their partial SSU rDNA sequences from fat-tailed gerbils, enriching our understanding of Entamoeba genetic diversity.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42068468/\n- **PMID 42236358 (2026, Trends in parasitology)** — Babesia microti: Breaking the culture barrier.. Abstract (opening): Babesia microti poses a significant threat to human health, underscoring the need for an improved in vitro culture system to reduce reliance on animal models and support drug and vaccine screening. Key challenges include the tropism of preferential host red blood cells (RBCs), parasite metabolic needs, culture medium formulation, and optimization of the microaerophilic environment (oxygenation).\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42236358/\n- **PMID 42190305 (2026, Hearing research)** — Computational auditory periphery models: The return of the rodent.. Abstract (opening): Animal experiments have provided many insights on auditory function, notably in cases of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). However, it is not always clear how these findings translate to the human auditory system, especially in clinically relevant contexts. Cross-species computational models of the auditory periphery can help bridge the gap between non-invasive human diagnostics and experimental evidence from animal studies. In this work we adapted a one-dimensional (1-D) nonlinear cochlear transmission-line (TL) model designed for the human auditory periphery to mouse and gerbil, enabling a single computational framework for cross-species research on SNHL. Species-specific anatomical and physiological parameters - including basilar membrane (BM) length and width, stapes area, middle-ear transfer functions, and characteristic-frequency range - were adjusted to match each species' auditory periphery and hearing range. Other cochlear parameters were calibrated to reproduce realistic cochlear tuning and compressive growth. The adapted mouse and gerbil models were validated against experimental species-specific BM velocity level-growth characteristics, auditory-nerve (AN) tuning curves, and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Simulated AN outputs reasonably matched empirical measurements, including realistic AN thresholds and frequency selectivity. However, the discrepancy between simulations and measurements became larger for cochlear sections closer to the base or apex. Simulations of auditory-nerve synaptopathy reproduced observed differences in recorded auditory brainstem and envelope following responses from mice and gerbils with cochlear synaptopathy. However, OHC individualization of the mouse model based on DPOAEs failed to faithfully reproduce individual measured data, although inter-group differences in OHC damage were captured. Our findings demonstrate that biophysically grounded auditory periphery models can be translated across species while preserving realistic sound-coding properties and pathophysiological alterations. This approach refines the interpretation of animal data in specific hypotheses of human hearing, facilitates the development of new stimuli to test in rodents, and may enable in silico investigations of OHC loss, synaptopathy, and their functional consequences.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42190305/\n- **PMID 42418343 (2026, Virulence)** — A field-deployable high-resolution SNP genotyping platform for rapid surveillance of <i>Yersinia pestis</i>.. Abstract (opening): Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, poses a persistent global health threat due to its rapid transmission and high mortality. To enable rapid, field-deployable surveillance, we developed a high-resolution, culture-independent genotyping assay for precise identification of Y. pestis lineages and sublineages. We curated and validated 25 canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms (canSNPs) to resolve 24 global lineages, along with 12 region-specific canSNPs distinguishing 9 predominant sublineages circulating in Inner Mongolia, China. By integrating ARMS-HANDS PCR with multicolor melting curve analysis, we established a hierarchical multiplex assay capable of simultaneously genotyping 37 canSNPs in three real-time PCR reactions. The system exhibited high sensitivity (detection limit: 50 genome copies per reaction) and achieved 100% accuracy in a double-blind evaluation of 166 Y. pestis strains. Incorporated into a portable \"sample-in, result-out\" device, the assay enabled direct lineage identification from infected gerbil liver samples within 120 min, accurately detecting the epidemiologically critical sublineage 2.MED3.1.4 in field-collected specimens. This robust and deployable genotyping platform addresses key limitations in current plague surveillance efforts, offering a transformative solution for real-time outbreak investigation and epidemiological tracking in resource-constrained settings.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42418343/\n- **PMID 41791851 (2026, Gut)** — Nucleotide analogue bemnifosbuvir inhibits hepatitis E virus replication in preclinical models.. Abstract (opening): Background
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections remain a global health concern. Immunocompromised patients are at an increased risk of developing chronic HEV infection and thereby severe liver disease. Current off-label regimens are suboptimal with treatment failure being reported. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an effective anti-HEV treatment.Objective
In this study, we aimed to identify potent inhibitors of HEV replication.Design
We developed a rapid, image-based screening platform based on a full-length HEV fluorescence reporter virus and screened a nucleotide/nucleoside analogue library. The identified lead candidate was validated in authentic hepatocyte culture systems, as well as in a gerbil infection model.Results
Bemnifosbuvir (BEM), previously characterised as a nucleotide analogue with activity against other RNA viruses, efficiently suppressed HEV replication in vitro and in vivo in a dose-dependent manner, with minimal cytotoxicity at effective concentrations. Combining BEM with ribavirin, the off-label drug given to patients with chronic HEV, resulted in an additive antiviral effect against HEV. We found that HEV-3 remains susceptible to inhibition by BEM over an extended treatment period, reducing concerns about the rapid development of viral resistance. Importantly, BEM significantly reduced HEV viral loads and liver inflammation in a gerbil infection model.Conclusions
Given BEM's favourable safety profile in preclinical and clinical settings, our results suggest investigating its efficacy in patients with chronic HEV infection.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41791851/\n\nSource text: `pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_gerbil_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt` (Europe PMC first-hand abstracts, pulled 2026-08-01).\n","sources":["Europe PMC — Evidence cluster — Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC) (retrieved 2026-08-01)"],"source":{"authority":"Europe PMC","title":"Evidence cluster — Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC)","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41995082/","retrieved":"2026-08-01","ref":"PMID 41995082","doc_type":"official PDF","source_document":"Peer-reviewed Gerbil husbandry/health/nutrition literature (Europe PMC, first-hand abstracts)","verification_file":"pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_gerbil_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt"},"source_document":"Peer-reviewed Gerbil husbandry/health/nutrition literature (Europe PMC, first-hand abstracts)","source_file":"pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_gerbil_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt","tokens_estimated":600,"generated_at":null,"tip":"Use /api/v1/topics to discover more topics. /api/v1/nutrient for precise single-point queries. /api/v1/cross_compare for 2-3 standard comparisons."}