Changes in enzyme activities in the small intestine of rabbits during early infection with Trichostrongylus colubriformis.
In rabbits experimentally infected by fourth and fifth stages (L4 and S5) of Trichostrongylus colubriformis, 16 enzymatic activities in the small intestine were compared to control values, by means of a modified Api Zym method. In the proximal part of the gut, the wide depletion in brush border enzyme activities previously recorded with presence of adult T colubriformis was also noticed with L4 and S5. Moreover, a 10 to 23% reduction was observed for enzyme activities linked to lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum. In the distal region of the small intestine, no difference in enzymatic activities was present between infected and control animals, although an hyperplasia of villi has been previously described in this part of the parasitised gut. Referring to these enzymatic results for the whole small intestine, the hypothesis of a mechanical effect of worms on the intestinal epithelium and/or disturbance in the renewal of epithelial cells is discussed.
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INRA, Station de Pathologie Aviaire et de Parasitologie, Centre de Tours-Nouzilly, Monnaie, France.
Mallet
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D000818:Animals; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000201:enzymology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008871:Microvilli / Q000201:enzymology / Q000469:parasitology; D011817:Rabbits; D014252:Trichostrongyloidiasis / Q000201:enzymology*; D014253:Trichostrongylosis / Q000201:enzymology*