Migration of Adult Elaphostrongylus rangiferi (Nematoda: Protostrongylidae) from the Spinal Subdural Space to the Muscles of Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Abstract

To trace the intrahost migration of adult (fifth-stage) Elaphostrongylus rangiferi 9 reindeer calves were fed infective larvae and examined for worms 48-250 days postinfection. The average length of worms recovered increased asymptotically with time. Gravid females and adult males were recovered from 52 days postinfection (d.p.i.), and the fraction made up by these categories increased with time. Immature females and subadult males were recovered as late as 161 d.p.i. Nematodes were recovered from the spinal subdural space 48-161 d.p.i., from the cranial subdural space 48-90 d.p.i., and from the musculature 90-250 d.p.i. Immature females were found in the spinal subdural space and the cranial subdural space, whereas gravid females were found also in the musculature with an increasing fraction with time. Subadult and adult males were found in all 3 sites but with an increasing fraction of adults from the spinal canal to the cranium to the musculature.