[Eosinophil response in albino rats to infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis (author's transl)].

Five male Wistar rats (200 grams each) were infected with 100 third stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis by gastric intubation. After 42 days of infection, a large number of first stage larvae was found in the feces of all infected rats. Blood examination revealed that the number of eosinophil increased substantially, when compared to controls, at 6, 36, and 46 days after infection. The percentages of eosinophils in blood obtained at day 6, 36, and 46 was about 4 to 6-fold of control group. However, the total number of white blood cells increased only at the late period or after 36 days of infection.