Single and multiple worm infections of Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda) in the golden hamster.
Six of 10 hamsters fed a single metacercarial cyst of Echinostoma caproni (single-worm infections) and 13 of 19 hamsters fed either 2 or 5 cysts (multiple-worm infections) were infected with adult echinostomes at necropsy 22 days post-infection. Considerable histopathological changes to the small intestine occurred in hamsters carrying single-worm infections. There were no differences in either mean length, width or wet weight of echinostomes in single- versus multiple-worm infections. The mean number of eggs/worm from single-worm infections (525) was significantly greater than that from multiple-worm infections (288). The average percentage of fully developed miracidia/worm from single worms (94%) was similar to that from worms in multiple infections (92-95%). Single worms of E. caproni were capable of self-fertilization and production of viable eggs. Miracidia derived from single worms were as capable of infecting laboratory-reared Biomphalaria glabrata and producing patent rediae as were those from multiple infections.
Fried
B
B
Department of Biology, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042.
Huffman
J E
JE
Weiss
P M
PM
D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000469:parasitology; D006224:Cricetinae; D004449:Echinostoma / Q000254:growth & development*; D004451:Echinostomiasis / Q000469:parasitology*; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000469:parasitology*