An attempt to produce Ostertagia circumcincta infections in Mongolian gerbils

Adult infections of Ostertagia circumcincta were successfully established in gerbils, although worm growth was retarded compared with infections in sheep. Chronic administration of beta-methasone to the host enhanced development of the parasite reproductive system but did not increase infection rate or prevent worm rejection. Infection rates achieved with single infections were not increased by using daily or weekly trickle infection regimes with or without prior exsheathment of larvae. Examination of stomachs from infected gerbils demonstrated pathological changes in the pyloric region which was the predilection site for O. circumcincta. This is in contrast to infections in sheep in which the fundic region of the abomasum is the preferred site.