Sources of rats free of latent Pneumocystis carinii

Abstract

Two sources of rats free of latent Pneumocystis carinii are described. First, rats from a virus-free colony failed to develop infection after 8 weeks of immune suppression unless they were housed with previously infected rats. Second, pregnant rats (non-virus free) received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole from day 10 of gestation until the pups were weaned. Pups raised in filter-topped cages and immunosuppressed for 8 weeks were free of P. carinii infection.