Predisposition of mice to Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Aspiculuris tetraptera (Nematoda).

The purpose of this study was to determine whether predisposition to Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Aspiculuris tetraptera (Nematoda) exists within a naturally infected population of mice. A breeding mouse population was housed in a spacious arena in which endemic infections of H. polygyrus and A. tetraptera were present. H. polygyrus were over-dispersed in the mouse population. Prevalence reached 100% by the age of 3 weeks; intensity of infection increased to a peak in the 10 to 15-week-old mice, and remained high throughout life. A group of 73 mice was treated with pyrantel pamoate, and the expelled worms were counted. Mice were returned to the arena. Daily egg production was monitored 4, 8, 12 and 14 weeks after treatment. Mice were then killed and numbers of H. polygyrus and A. tetraptera were counted. Significant positive correlations were detected between numbers of H. polygyrus at first treatment and at necropsy, indicating the existence of predisposition. Similar results were obtained for A. tetraptera. Correlations improved when data were analysed by age class of mice. Analyses based on egg-count data during reinfection did not support the hypothesis of predisposition, however. A. tetraptera and H. polygyrus burdens were significantly correlated only in 3 to 4-week-old mice at the time of the treatment.