The Chinese Hamster (Cricetulus griseus) as an Experimental Host for Trichinella spiralis

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Abstract
The Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) was introduced as a new experimental host for T. spiralis. This animal exhibited a high degree of resistance to the muscle phase of the parasite, but showed no unusual refractoriness to the intestinal phase. Hamsters receiving about 100 larvae each were sacrificed at 3, 5, 14, 26, 40, and 112 days after infection. Some adult worms persisted in the gut for at least 26 days. Spleen weight changes occurred and corresponded with the invasive stage. Adrenal weight changes did not show any particular relationship to the infection. Stained muscle sections exhibited intense inflammatory response together with dissolution of most parasites. Carcass recovery of larvae was remarkable scant. Cheek pouch retractor muscle was used for in vivo observations. Retractor muscles were dissected out and stained for whole mount observation of fibers with associated blood vessel and connective tissue changes.