Increase in size of the small intestine of rats infected with Moniliformis (Acanthocephala)

Abstract

Singhvi A. and Crompton D. W. T. 1982. Increase in size of the small intestine of rats infected with Moniliformis (Acanthocephala). International Journal for Parasitology 12: 173–178. The size and histology of the small intestines of rats which had been infected for 6 weeks with a primary infection of not more than 40 Moniliformis dubius were compared with those of similar uninfected rats. Three significant differences were detected. The average length was greater, the average dry weight was heavier and the average dry weight per unit length was also heavier in infected than in uninfected rats. The increase in intestinal tissue may be accounted for mainly as the result of an increase in thickness of the muscle layers.