TRICHINELLA-SPIRALIS - COMPARISON OF STAGES IN HOST INTESTINE WITH THOSE OF AN ARCTIC TRICHINELLA SP

The intestinal phase of Trichinella spiralis and of Trichinella sp. isolated in the Arctic were compared in experimental animals. Reproductive capacity, pathogenicity, distribution, and persistence of adults in the small intestine, morphological measurements, and release of newborn larvae in vitro were examined. Numerous passages of 40 days each for T. spiralis and the Trichinella sp. isolate in mice did not affect reproductive capacity, distribution of adults in the small intestine, and size of worms. Reproductive capacity index for T. spiralis, I = 151.27 ± 27.30 was significantly higher compared to the Trichinella sp. isolate index, I = 63.46 ± 19.34. The Trichinella sp. isolate was more pathogenic to mice and wild rodents compared to T. spiralis during the intestinal phase. Both parasites were located in the anterior part of the small intestine but the position of T. spiralis adults (P = 17.08) differed from position of the Trichinella sp. isolate adults (P = 23.46) in the small intestine. Intestinal phase of T. spiralis was longer (20 days) compared to the Trichinella sp. isolate (15 days) but sex ratios ({lozenge, filled}:♂) were similar for both parasites. T. spiralis females released significantly higher numbers of larvae in vitro/24 hr compared to the Trichinella sp. isolate. Release of larvae was continuous during the intestinal phase and the average fecundity for T. spiralis was 335 larvae/female and for the Trichinella sp. isolate 114 larvae/female. Adults of T. spiralis and the Trichinella sp. isolate were morphologically indistinguishable and did not differ in size. A comparative index for the intestinal phase is proposed for comparison of any Trichinella spp. isolates and standard T. spiralis. © 1979.