Neuropathological studies of experimental toxocariasis in lead exposed mice

Binghamton Heterogeneous stock mice intubated with embryonated eggs from the common parasite of dogs, Toxocara canis, display dramatic alterations in behavior. Many of these behavioral changes are markedly attenuated if mice are maintained also on a drinking solution containing lead acetate. The data presented here, however, show that the extensive neural degeneration of the CNS occurs after T. canis infection and that the nature and extent of this degeneration is similar, regardless of whether mice had been administered parasites alone or in combination with lead. Thus the neuropathological data reported in detail here cannot account for the striking interactive influence of T. canis and lead on behavior.