Host age influence on the intensity of experimental Trichuris suis infection in pigs.
The impact of age-related resistance on the regulation of population dynamics of adult Trichuris suis was investigated in an experimental pig model. Helminth-naïve pigs varying in age from five weeks to four years were infected with T. suis to determine susceptibility to infection. Sows had a significantly lower establishment of adult T. suis worms compared with weaner pigs. Adult worm populations were highly overdispersed in both sows and grower pigs contrasted by a more even distribution among weaner pigs. Sows had significantly lower worm fecundities compared to weaner and grower pigs; T. suis from grower pigs, in turn, had reduced fecundity compared to worms in weaner pigs. In conclusion, we provide the first controlled experimental evidence that age-related resistance to T. suis occurs in pigs.
Pedersen
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Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Dyrlaegevej 100, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Saeed
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D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013552:Swine / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology*; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014258:Trichuris / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*