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Age-dependent infectivity of orally transferred juvenile Fasciola hepatica
1Department of Molecular Parasitology, Sungkyunkwan University College of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
Abstract:
Juvenile Fasciola hepatica is infective when administered orally. To determine whether the age of juveniles is a factor in infectivity by oral transfer, experimental mice were challenged orally with immature F. hepatica that had been grown in donor mice for 12, 14, 16, and 18 days. Experimental mice were examined for infections 12 16 days after the oral transfers. The infection success in experimental mice decreased with the age of juveniles. The worm recovery also decreased according to the age of juveniles. None of the juveniles was infective when grown for longer than 11 days. Once infected, orally transferred worms continued to grow. Juvenile age was a significant factor in determining the infectivity of orally transferred juvenile F. hepatica.
Insights
The age of juvenile Fasciola hepatica significantly impacts infectivity. Younger juvenile flukes, less than 11 days old, are most effective for oral infection in mice.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Helminthology
Background:
- Fasciola hepatica causes significant economic losses in livestock.
- Understanding juvenile Fasciola hepatica infectivity is crucial for disease control.
- Oral administration is a potential route for Fasciola hepatica infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of juvenile Fasciola hepatica age on oral infectivity.
- To determine the optimal age of juvenile flukes for successful experimental infection.
Main Methods:
- Experimental mice were orally challenged with juvenile Fasciola hepatica aged 12, 14, 16, and 18 days.
- Infection success and worm recovery were assessed 12-16 days post-infection.
Main Results:
- Infection success and worm recovery decreased as the age of juvenile Fasciola hepatica increased.
- Juvenile Fasciola hepatica older than 11 days were not infective via oral administration.
- Orally transferred worms that established infection continued to grow.
Conclusions:
- Juvenile age is a critical factor influencing the infectivity of Fasciola hepatica following oral challenge.
- This finding has implications for experimental models and understanding parasite transmission.