title: Development of Haplorchis taichui (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) in Mus musculus mice.
abstract: The development of Haplorchis taichui was studied in sixteen mice, Mus musculus. Metacercarial cysts of H. taichui were obtained from the freshwater fish, Thynnichthys thynnoides, collected in Chiang Mai Province, north Thailand. Approximately 200 active metacercariae were orally introduced into each mouse. Two mice were randomly sacrificed and necropsied daily from day 2-9 postinfection (pi). Two peaks of increment in the length and width of worms were found at day 3 and 7 pi. H. taichui was rapid in maturation, similar to other minute intestinal flukes. Rudimentary sex organs were found at day 2 pi. Spermatozoa in a seminal receptacle, vitellaria and eggs were seen as early as 3 days pi. The number of eggs increased daily to approximately 50-60 eggs thereafter. Mice can serve as a suitable experimental definitive host for harvesting adult H. taichui, especially in 1-week pi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. ksukonta@mail.med.cmu.ac.th
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sukontason
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Sukontason
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boonsriwong
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Chaithong
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piangjai
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Choochote
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary; D016266:Food Parasitology; D006578:Heterophyidae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D012098:Reproduction; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013997:Time Factors; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*