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Comparative study of long, segmented, filamentous organisms in chickens and mice
1USDA-ARS, Livestock and Poultry Sciences Institute, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center-East, MD 20705.
Abstract:
No transmission of long, segmented, filamentous organisms (LSFO) from a laboratory mouse strain (Mus musculus) to a domestic broiler chicken strain (Gallus domesticus) occurred by oral dosing with mouse mucosal and fecal preparations, even in hydrocortisone-treated chicks. Transmission of chicken LSFO to laboratory mice was attempted, but the results were confounded by the mice having been already infected with LSFO. However, the morphologic characteristics of the LSFO in the dosed mice suggested that transmission of chick LSFO did not occur. Mouse LSFO, as detected in carbol thionin-stained mucosal smears, are generally wider, longer, and have slightly different morphologic characteristics than chicken LSFO. The results of these studies suggest that the LSFO in mice and chickens may be two distinct species.
Insights
Long, segmented, filamentous organisms (LSFO) did not transmit between mice and chickens, suggesting they are distinct species. Morphological differences in LSFO further support this species distinction in animal hosts.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Parasitology
- Comparative Pathology
Background:
- Long, segmented, filamentous organisms (LSFO) are found in both laboratory mice (Mus musculus) and domestic chickens (Gallus domesticus).
- Understanding host specificity of LSFO is crucial for controlling potential infections and for accurate taxonomic classification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for cross-transmission of LSFO between mice and chickens.
- To determine if LSFO from mice and chickens represent distinct species based on transmission and morphology.
Main Methods:
- Oral inoculation of hydrocortisone-treated and untreated chicks with mouse LSFO from mucosal and fecal preparations.
- Attempted oral inoculation of mice with chicken LSFO, with pre-existing mouse LSFO infection noted.
- Morphological analysis of LSFO in both species using carbol thionin-stained mucosal smears.
Main Results:
- No successful transmission of mouse LSFO to chickens was observed, even in immunosuppressed chicks.
- Morphological characteristics of LSFO in mice (wider, longer) differed from those in chickens.
- While cross-transmission to mice was confounded by prior infection, observed morphology suggested no successful transmission of chicken LSFO.
Conclusions:
- LSFO from mice and chickens appear to be distinct species.
- Host specificity is a key factor in LSFO transmission dynamics.
- Morphological differences support the hypothesis of separate LSFO species in these animal models.