[Susceptibility of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) to parasitic infection. (2) Experimental infection with Schistosoma japonicum].

Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus Milne-Edwards: CHA colony) were experimentally infected with Schistosoma japonicum cercariae by the percutaneous route and intraperitoneal inoculation to confirm their susceptibility to the infection with this parasite in comparison with that of mice (DD). Chinese hamsters proved to be highly susceptible to percutaneous and intraperitoneal infection with S. japonicum. The eggs of S. japonicum were recognized in feces of all Chinese hamsters and mice from about 6 weeks after infection. The mortality within 50 weeks post-infection was lower in Chinese hamsters than in mice. Eight out of 18 Chinese hamsters survived more than 50 weeks post-infection, seven of these showed eggs in their feces beyond this period, whereas no fecal eggs was detected in the same period in the five mice which survived more than 50 weeks post-infection. Chinese hamsters seem to be equally susceptible as mice to S. japonicum infection and more tolerant than mice to the worm load.