Single- and five-worm infections of Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda) in the ICR mouse.
Twenty-nine (64%) of 44 ICR mice fed a single metacercarial cyst of Echinostoma caproni and all of 23 mice each fed five cysts were infected with ovigerous worms at necropsy 2-4 weeks post-infection. Each host fed five cysts had two to five worms at necropsy, and all worms were either paired or clustered. Distribution of worms in the small intestine was similar in single- and five-worm infections and all worms were located 17-20 cm anterior to the ileo-cecal valve. Both single and multiple worms produced eggs with fully-developed miracidia. The number of eggs per uterus in 2-week-old multiple worms was almost twice that of single worms. The body area of 3- and 4-week-old multiple worms was significantly greater than that of single worms of the same age.
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Department of Biology, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042.
Sousa
K R
KR
D000818:Animals; D004449:Echinostoma / Q000502:physiology*; D004451:Echinostomiasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR / Q000469:parasitology*; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000662:veterinary*