All pinworm infections in rodents can be detected by the anal tape test.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not determinable
• D. Only in certain species

Answer: (B)

Not all pinworm infections in rodents will be detected by the anal tape test every time. The test works by catching eggs laid around the perianal area when the female comes out to lay them, so it’s most sensitive for infections that shed eggs reliably. But egg shedding can be intermittent, and infections at low burden or in the early (prepatent) stage may not produce eggs yet. Timing matters too: eggs are best collected soon after the animals wake up and often over several days to improve sensitivity. Different pinworm species can have different shedding patterns, so a single tape sample may miss some infections. For accurate surveillance, additional methods such as fecal flotation or necropsy may be needed. That’s why the statement is false.