Some studies on the experimental infection of golden hamsters with Taenia solium

Golden hamsters were infected orally with viable cysticerci of Taenia solium obtained from infected pigs. After two weeks of infection implanted scolices of about 4 mm were found in exactly the same number as the number of ingested cysticerci. At six weeks 66% of the ingested cysticerci were found as implanted tapeworms (average size: 5.7 cm). At ten weeks 16% of the ingested cysticerci were found as implanted tapeworms (average size: 5.8 cm). At 14 weeks no tapeworms were found. Skin tests with taenia extracts were positive after 9 weeks of infection peaked at 12 and 14 weeks and declined afterwards becoming negative after 27 weeks. Skin test with cysticercus extracts were weaker, peaked at 8 and 10 weeks, were very low after 12 weeks and became negative after 16 weeks. Histological studies in the attachment site at the small intestine showed at 2 weeks a cellular infiltrate formed by macrophages, epithelioid cells and some plasma cells, there was very little alteration of epithelium. At 6 and 8 weeks the epithelium was damaged and necrotized. At 17 and 19 weeks the lesion started to resolve. We conclude that the golden hamster can be used to reproduce in the laboratory at least part of the life cycle of Taenia solium.