Comparison of the course of infection with Giardia muris in male and female mice.
The infection with Giardia muris in male and female C57BL/6 mice was characterized by enumerating cyst release in the feces and trophozoite burden in the small intestine. Cyst release differed between males and females during the course of the primary and challenge infections. Males and females released similar numbers of cysts in the feces during the acute phase of the infection. However, the trophozoite burden was significantly higher in males during the same period. Males released cysts in their feces longer than females and trophozoites present in their intestines for a longer period than females. From day 18 of infection the females did not release cysts in their feces, while males continued to do so for at least 60 days. Thus, distinct differences exist between male and female mice in their ability to harbor and eliminate this intestinal parasite.
Daniels
C W
CW
Department of Zoology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Belosevic
M
M
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005872:Giardia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013997:Time Factors