Some Host Responses of Miniature Pigs to Infection with Trichinella spiralis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Using the miniature pig (minipig) as the host animal for Trichinella spiralis, precipitin, skin, and Prausnitz-Kustner tests indicated the presence of antibodies in anti-sera althougn the bentonite flocculation test remained negative when antisera were tested against CDC antigen and the authors'' antigen. The CDC Laboratories likewise reported their somatic antigen as giving negative results although their metabolic antigen gave titers of 1 : 10, 1 : 5, and negative, respectively, on the three antisera tested. All minipigs, regardless of infection rate employed, reacted similarly in eosinophilic response, rise in gamma globulin, and serologic reactions. Larval distribution in skeletal muscles followed the pattern reported for normal size hogs and other animals. The miniature pig represents a new host for the study of infection with T. spiralis.