Some Host Responses of Miniature Pigs to Infection with Trichinella spiralis

Abstract

Using the miniature pig (minipig) as the host animal for Trichinella spiralis, precipitin, skin, and Prausnitz-Kiistner tests indicated the presence of antibodies in antisera although the bentonite flocculation test remained negative when antisera were tested against CDC antigen and the authors' antigen. The CDC Laboratories likewise reported their somatic antigen as giving negative results al- though their metabolic antigen gave titers of 1: 10, 1: 5, and negative, respectively, on the three antisera tested. All minipigs, regardless of infection rate employed, reacted similarly in eosinophilic response, rise in gamma globulin, and serologic reactions. Larval distribution in skeletal muscles followed the pattern reported for normal size hogs and other animals. The miniature pig represents a new host for the study of infection with T. spiralis.