Abstract
The experiments using small experimental animals were carried out for obtaining basic data to maintain the calf strain of Strongyloides papillosus (Himeji strain, 1988; SPL).
To determine the susceptibility of some species of small animals, a preliminary experiment was carried out. Rabbits, mice, Mongolian gerbils, rats and guinea pigs were exposed to 10, 000-100, 000 infective larvae of SPL. Fecal egg output and SPL worms in the intestine were recognized in rabbits, whereas negative data were found in other species of animals.
Furthermore, the effect of dexamethasone (DEXA) on SPL infection in rabbits was examined. Rabbits administrated with 4 different doses of DEXA were exposed to 50, 000-100, 000 infective larvae of SPL. Fecalegg output was observed in all exposed rabbits and 13 (72%) of 18 rabbits died from 12 to 29 days after exposure. The dead rabbits obviously had a reduction in body weight. The maximum EPG and survival time of rabbits infected with SPL were variable in individual rabbits, and no effect of DEXA administration on SPL infection was noted. A few coccidial oocysts in the feces were also observed together with SPL eggs.
