Long-Term Population Dynamics of Pinworms (Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera) in Mice

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Abstract
The population dynamics of concurrent infections of Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera (Nematoda) in laboratory mice were investigated under conditions of constant re-exposure over periods of 56 and 115 days. The results indicate that A. tetraptera burdens equilibrate at a higher level than S. obvelata burdens and that both parasites become aggregated in the mouse population. Parasite burdens were higher following short-term (7 day) exposure of uninfected tracer to both parasites when compared with parasite burdens attained over long-term exposure, indicating probable development of immunity. A significant positive correlation was detected between numbers of immature S. obvelata and immature A. tetraptera for both experimental and tracer mice.