Journal of Helminthology

Table of Contents - 2000 - Volume 74, Issue 03  

Cambridge Journals Online - CUP Full-Text Page

Research Article

Congenital transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in the rabbit

B.-Z. Qiana1, H.O. Bøgha2 c1, M.V. Johansena3 and P.P. Wanga1



a1 Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre on Helminthiasis, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310013, People's Republic of China

a2 Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Ridebanevej 3, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark

a3 Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory, Jægersborg Allé 1D, DK-2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark

Article author query

Qian BZ [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]
Bøgh HO [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]
Johansen MV [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]
Wang PP [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]

Abstract

Fourteen pregnant rabbits were each infected with 300 cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum and divided into two groups. Group M (n = 8) was infected during mid-gestation (the organogenetic stage) and group L (n = 6) was infected during late-gestation (the post-organogenetic stage). Mother rabbits and rabbit kittens were killed 45–60 days after infection and perfused in order to obtain worm counts. Furthermore, faecal egg counts and tissue egg counts from livers were obtained from the mother rabbits as well as the rabbit kittens. All mother rabbits became infected harbouring 207.6 ± 20.2 and 220.0 ± 27.5 adult worms in group M and L, respectively. In groups M and L, 13.5% and 46.7% of the kittens were infected, respectively. In 12 of 14 litters at least one kitten was infected. The infected kittens harboured between one and three adult S. japonicum. The livers of the kittens infected with a worm pair displaced lesions as a result of egg deposition. The results, therefore, show that congenital transmission of S. japonicumcan occur in rabbits. The close anatomical resemblance between the rabbit and human placenta may be indicative of the presence of congenital transmission of S. japonicum infection in humans.

(Accepted December 22 1999)

Correspondence:

c1 Author for correspondence Fax: +45 35 28 27 74 E-mail hob@kvl.dk