Host-parasite relationships between Echinostoma caproni and RAG-2-deficient mice.

The RAG-2-deficient mouse, a strain of genetically altered mice lacking B- and T-lymphocytes, was used as a host for Echinostoma caproni. In all, 12 male RAG mice were exposed to 25 cysts each, and 12 served as uninfected controls. Mice were necropsied at 2 and 3 weeks postinfection (p.i.). The mean number+/-SE (9.7+/-2.4) of worms recovered from infected mice at 2 weeks p.i. was not significantly different from that recovered at 3 weeks p.i. (6.5+/-2.2). The intestinal circumference of infected RAG mice was significantly greater than that of the controls at 2 and 3 weeks p.i. A significant goblet cell hyperplasia occurred at 2 weeks p.i., but the response was not effective in eliminating worms from the RAG mice. The effect of a high cyst burden was examined by exposure of 8 RAG and 8 ICR mice to 100 cysts each. The body length and area and the oral sucker area of worms grown in RAG mice were significantly greater than those of worms grown in ICR mice. Worm recovery at up to 3 months p.i. was examined in RAG mice exposed to 25 cysts and necropsied every 2 weeks p.i. The mean worm recovery recorded at 2 weeks p.i. was significantly greater than that noted at 12 weeks p.i., at which time worm rejection from the RAG mouse host first occurred. The RAG mouse is a useful host for studies on E. caproni in a murine host that lacks B- and T-lymphocytes.