Parasitic Development of Obeliscoides cuniculi in Rabbits

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Abstract
Studies on the development of O. cuniculi infections in New Zealand white rabbits showed that the 2nd ecdysis was completed within 1 hr. of infection and the parasitic 2nd stage larvae penetrated into the gastric mucosa within 24 hr. The 3rd ecdysis occurred in the mucosa and was completed by day 5 while the 4th ecdysis probably occurred as the worms migrated to the stomach surface. Migration from the mucosa started on day 5 and by the 14th day, 35% of the total infection was on the gastric surface. The prepatent periods of 2 infections were 19 and 25 days. The male to female worm ratio was 1.4:1 at 72 hr. and 2.5:1 on day 5 but decreased subsequently to 1:1. Fewer worms were found embedded in the mucosa of the pyloric region of the stomach than in other gastric regions on and after the 14th day of infection. Similarities between the parasitic development of other trichostrongyles and O. cuniculi are discussed.