Percy DH Barthold SW:

Pathology of Laboratory Rodents and Rabbits, 315 pp, Ames IA, Iowa State University Press, 2001 ($99.95).

The use of rodents in laboratory research is expanding, particularly relative to the production of transgenic models. Rodent models are becoming more refined, and with that refinement there is increasing potential for impact by infectious disease on many of these models. Given the worldwide mobility of people, animals, and biomaterials, diseases from virtually any part of the world could break in US colonies. The evaluation of rodent models and particularly transgenic models requires sound reference material on the normal anatomy and on the pathologic lesions associated with common diseases in these species. Pathology of Laboratory Rodents and Rabbits provides an organized and detailed review of the important natural diseases of mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and rabbits. It is written by two individuals who are well-known and respected in the field of rodent pathology. Each chapter provides a foundation in normal gross and microscopic features and variations that are unique to each species. All chapters are organized in a similar format, covering the common viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic diseases, as well as other degenerative and neoplastic lesions. The coverage of neoplastic disease is limited to only the most common tumors. High-quality photographs accompany the descriptions of the most important diseases. The significance of mouse or rat strain on disease expression also is covered well in the text. Nomenclature and taxonomy of the disease-causing organisms are current. Reference lists are clustered by disease entity with classical and recent publications. Information is so current that a recent (year 2000) outbreak of rabbit calicivirus is included. The text is a necessity for any veterinary pathologist or veterinary trainee working in rodent research, but it also would be useful for investigators who may be trying to decipher the significance of lesions in genetically modified or immunodeficient laboratory animals.