Effects of source of metacercariae on experimental infection of Zygocotyle lunata (Digenea: Paramphistomidae) in CD-1 mice.

摘要: Outbred (CD-1 strain) mice were infected experimentally with metacercariae of Zygocotyle lunata obtained from naturally Helisoma trivolvis. Growth, survival, and fecundity the parasite gross pathology in host evaluated. Metacercariae 5 snail sources produced 3 patterns growth survival: significantly smaller worms that survived less than 4 wk did not mature, larger matured but 6 wk, intermediate size lived at least 19 wk. Parasite maturation (at 3-4 wk) egg production (14 eggs.worm-1.hr-1) similar among infections different sources. Ceca old enlarged localized mucosal alteration site attachment, there was no evidence splenomegaly. The differences infection due to source within 1 strain final reported other species host. These results suggest variation associated may confound studies specificity definitive