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THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VIRUS OF LYMPHOCYTIC CHORIOMENINGITIS BY TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS

J T Syverton1, O R McCoy, J Koomen

  • 1Department of Bacteriology, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Parasitic nematodes, Trichinella spiralis, can acquire and transmit the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus after maturation. This study demonstrates nematode larvae can harbor and spread the virus to new hosts.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an important human pathogen.
  • The transmission routes of LCMV in nature are not fully understood.
  • Parasitic nematodes, such as Trichinella spiralis, infect various hosts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether Trichinella spiralis larvae can acquire and transmit LCMV.
  • To determine the mechanism of virus acquisition and transmission by nematode larvae.

Main Methods:

  • Concurrent infection of guinea pigs with LCMV and Trichinella spiralis.
  • Feeding living larvae and injecting triturated dead larvae from infected hosts to naive guinea pigs.
  • Control experiments to rule out external virus adherence.

Main Results:

  • Trichinella spiralis larvae acquired LCMV after maturation in infected guinea pig muscles.
  • Both living and dead (triturated) larvae transmitted LCMV to new hosts.
  • Evidence confirmed larvae harbored the virus internally, not just on the surface.

Conclusions:

  • Trichinella spiralis larvae can act as vectors for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.
  • This finding suggests a potential novel transmission route for LCMV.
  • Further research is needed to assess the significance of this transmission in natural settings.
Keywords:
CHORIOMENINGITIS/transmissionTRICHINELLA/spiralis

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