An Outbreak of the Nematode Parasite Eustrongylides spp. (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) in a Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) Facility.

Despite advances in research employing zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) as an animal model, it is still difficult to obtain animals with attested sanitary qualities from commercial breeders. This study reports the first-time occurrence of Eustrongylides spp. parasitism in a zebrafish colony recently acquired from a pet store supplier to begin a research colony at a scientific facility. This parasite has not been reported in any current zebrafish health-monitoring guidelines to date. Thus, this report is a warning to breeders and researchers that this nematode can parasitize zebrafish, causing high lethality rates and compromising research outcomes.