SIMULTANEOUS INFECTION OF MASTOMYS-NATALENSIS WITH DIPETALONEMA-WITEI AND LITOMOSOIDES-CARINII

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (3) , 363-370
Abstract
M. natalensis was described by Lammler et al. (1968) as a suitable host for L. carinii and can also serve as final host for D. witei. At the end of the prepatency period the microfilaremia increased as rapidly in M. natalensis as in the original final host Meriones persicus. Maximal microfilaremia was observed earlier in M. natalensis (120 days post infection (p.i.)) than in M. persicus. Microfilariae counts decreased more rapidly in M. natalensis. The maximal counts found in M. natalensis were 78,000 microfilariae/ml blood, which is 3.2 .times. less than in M. persicus. A simultaneous experimental infection of M. natalensis with D. witei and L. carinii is possible. The course of microfilaremia and the number of macrofilariae were comparable in mono- and simultaneous infections for both species of filariae. The macrofilariae of D. witei began to die earlier than those of L. carinii both in mono- and in simultaneous infections. The percentage of dead macrofilariae was 3.8% at 110 days p.i. and 13.1% at 130 days p.i., respectively. Chemotherapeutic experiments should be terminated and evaluated at about 110 days p.i.