Trichosomoides nasalis(Nematoda: Trichinelloidea) in the murid hostArvicanthis niloticus:Migration to the epithelium of the nasal mucosa after intramuscular development

E.H Fall,Y Mutafchiev,K Ba,O Bain,C Martin,M Diagne,L Granjon,K Junker

doi:10.1051/parasite/2012194359

Abstract

Knowledge of the biology of the trichinelloid subfamily Trichosomoidinae is poor. Trichosomoides nasalis is a common parasite of Arvicanthis niloticus (Muridae) in Senegal, and a procedure for experimental infections has been established. It has been demonstrated that larvae develop in striated muscle fibres, similar to Trichinella spp., but they are not arrested in the first stage, and they reach the adult stage within three weeks. In the present histological study it is shown that T. nasalis females and dwarf males migrate from the abdomen and thorax to the host’s muzzle, moving through connective tissues and between muscles. A few migrating specimens were also found in the blood vessels of the nasal mucosa. While sexes were still separated in the lamina propria of the mucosa, females recovered from the epithelium contained intra-uterine males. Worms were found between the incisors in the mucosa of the anterior and median conchae which are rich in mucous cells. Only the pseudostratified epithelium was parasitized. Under natural conditions, the inflammation of the nasal mucosa that is induced by the parasites might reduce the competitiveness of infected rodents when foraging or looking for potential mates.

Highlights

Trichosomoides nasalis Biocca & Aurizi, 1961 is a trichinelloid nematode of which the females that contain dwarf males in their uteri, live in the epithelium of the nasal mucosa of their rodentParasite, 2012, 19, 359-365FALL E.H., DIAGNE M., MARTIN C
Fig. 1. – The three maxillar regions delineated for histology, shown on a rodent skull in lateral view
Rodents were euthanized from 19-21 days post-infection which corresponds to the period of migration of worms to the nasal mucosa, as established by Fall et al (2012)

Summary

Introduction

Trichosomoides nasalis Biocca & Aurizi, 1961 is a trichinelloid nematode of which the females that contain dwarf males in their uteri, live in the epithelium of the nasal mucosa of their rodent. The aim of this study was to elucidate the late migratory route from the muscles to the nasal mucosa and to determine the mating site of T. nasalis. – The three maxillar regions delineated for histology, shown on a rodent skull in lateral view. A, from the vestibulum to the beginning of incisor (i); B, incisor tooth region; C, from the posterior part of the incisor to the first molar (m). * indicates the position of adult Trichosomoides nasalis A, from the vestibulum to the beginning of incisor (i); B, incisor tooth region; C, from the posterior part of the incisor to the first molar (m). * indicates the position of adult Trichosomoides nasalis

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion