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Experimental transmission of a murine microsporidian in Swiss mice
Abstract:
The production of ascitic fluid and splenomegaly on intraperitoneal injection in weanlings was used as a test for microsporidia after introduction by other routes and in other loci. Oral and cerebral administration was followed only by enlarged spleens which reproduced the ascitic response on passage. Microsporidia were demonstrable by phase microscopy in all fluids. Positive findings were also obtained with liver, kidney, brain, lungs, blood, and urine. Intramuscular and intranasal injection were occasionally followed by ascites, but splenomegaly again predominated. The results of contact experiments indicated that the organisms were not readily communicable either in weanlings or nurslings. Relation of the microsporidian to Encephalitozoon cuniculi (Nosema cuniculi Lainson et al.) is discussed.
Insights
This study investigated microsporidia infections in weanlings, finding splenomegaly was a key indicator. Ascites and splenomegaly occurred after various administrations, but transmission was limited.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Microsporidia are opportunistic intracellular pathogens with a wide host range.
- Understanding microsporidian transmission and pathogenesis is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate ascitic fluid production and splenomegaly as indicators of microsporidia infection.
- To investigate the effects of different routes of microsporidia administration in weanlings.
- To assess the communicability of microsporidia between infected and naive animals.
Main Methods:
- Weanlings were inoculated with microsporidia via intraperitoneal, oral, cerebral, intramuscular, and intranasal routes.
- Ascitic fluid and spleen size were monitored as indicators of infection.
- Phase microscopy was used to detect microsporidia in various bodily fluids and tissues.
Main Results:
- Intraperitoneal injection consistently induced ascites and splenomegaly.
- Oral and cerebral administration primarily caused splenomegaly, which could induce ascites upon passage.
- Microsporidia were detected in liver, kidney, brain, lungs, blood, and urine, with splenomegaly being a predominant finding across routes.
Conclusions:
- Splenomegaly is a significant indicator of microsporidia infection in weanlings, even when ascites is not prominent.
- The study provides insights into the pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions of microsporidia.
- Microsporidia demonstrated limited communicability between animals in contact experiments.