Morphological and histochemical studies on the larval stages of Metastrongylus spp. (lungworms of swine) in the earthworm intermediate host, Eisenia foetida, Savigny 1826

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Abstract
By means of serial sections of experimentally infected Eisenia foetida with Metastrongylus spp. The distribution of larvae within the host has been determined. The exact position in the host intestine at which larvae penetrate has been shown to be the crop. The preferred site for localization and development of the parasite has further been shown to be the lamellar sinuses of the calciferous glands, although larvae were recovered from the dorsal blood vessel, hearts and perienteric blood sinuses. The way in which larvae pass from the gut to their definitive positions in the host has been discussed and it is supposted that this is determined by the configuration of the blood system rather than by a predilection for an environment low in free carbon dioxide. The pathology of infection and the distribution of alkaline and acid phosphatases, lipases, non-specific esterases RNA, DNA and haemaglobin have been described. The distribution of phosphatases in the gut is suggested to be concerned in the uptake of nutrients. The presence of an active zone of enzyme activity in the subcuticular regions of the parasite has been shown and the significance of this discussed. The parasite has been shown to feed directly on host blood.