Effect of Vitamin A Deficiency on Susceptibility of Rats to Angiostrongylus cantonensis

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Abstract
The effect of vitamin A deficiency on susceptibility to infection by A. cantonensis was studied using rats reared by a procedure enabling the synchronous induction of vitamin A deficiency and the stringent control of dietary protein and energy input. Vitamin A-deficient (A-) rats were more susceptible to infection by 3rd-stage larvae than (A+) controls, as revealed from mortality rate, survival period and/or worm recovery. More larvae were able to penetrate the intestinal mucosa of A- rats than that of A+ controls, a finding consistent with the fact that one of the functions of vitamin A is to maintain the morphological and functional integrity of the mucosa. Following a primary infection, A- rats developed a lower degree of protective immunity than A+ controls. Animals initially exposed to the parasite during the A+ state had a longer survival period and a lower worm burden than the group that was deficient in vitamin A during the early period of initial infection.