Gut propulsion in mice infected with Trichinella spiralis.

Previous investigators have shown that Trichinella spiralis increases intestinal motility and propulsion. We report here that primary infection with T. spiralis in the mouse increased gut propulsion, measured by the movement of nonabsorbable chromatography beads, on day 5 after infection but not 9 days after infection. Both cortisone acetate, an anti-inflammatory agent, and Lomotil, which reduced gut motility, could suppress the increase in gut propulsion seen 5 days after infection. The results suggest that early inflammation influences peristaltic activity and propulsion of intestinal contents.