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Hymenolepis muris-sylvaticae in laboratory rodents
Journal of Helminthology
|March 1, 1984
Summary
Hymenolepis muris-sylvaticae tapeworms establish and grow in mice and hamsters but only mature in hamsters. Rats reject the parasite entirely, with worm location varying by host species.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hymenolepis muris-sylvaticae is a tapeworm parasite.
- Understanding host-parasite interactions is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the establishment, growth, survival, and distribution of Hymenolepis muris-sylvaticae.
- To compare parasite dynamics across different laboratory animal models.
Main Methods:
- Oral infection and surgical transplantation of Hymenolepis muris-sylvaticae.
- Infection studies were conducted in Wistar rats, golden hamsters, CFLP mice, and NMRI mice.
Main Results:
- Worms grew exponentially in CFLP and NMRI mice but were rejected at different times post-infection.
- Hymenolepis muris-sylvaticae only matured in golden hamsters; no growth occurred in rats.
- Worm distribution varied, with parasites found in the posterior small intestine of rats and mice, and anteriorly in hamsters.
Conclusions:
- Golden hamsters are the only suitable laboratory model for Hymenolepis muris-sylvaticae maturation.
- Host species significantly influences tapeworm establishment, growth, and survival.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of parasite rejection in rats and mice.