No abstract

S cavenger catfish Glorias gariepius were experimentally infected with viable infective Trichinella spiralis larvae (1000 larvae/fish), Examination of the intestinal contents revealed the presence of viable larvae (that infect albino rats, xenodiagnosis) up to 48 hours post infection. Adult worms were not detected in the intestines of any of the experimentally infected fish. Trichinella spiralis larvae were not detected neither in the muscles of the infected catfish nor in the diaphragms of albino rats fed on muscles obtained from the experimentally infected fish by the 40 th day post infection. Thus, C. gariepius might be considered as a paratenic host for T. spiralis infection and could play a role in the epidemiology of trichinosis. Sequential serum samples from each fish were collected 7 and 40 days post infection. Small but statistically significant changes, in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase occurred after infection. Serum concentration of total protein remained constant, indicating little disturbance of liver function. Infection significantly lowered the relative mobility of serum protein fractions separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on the 40 th day post infection. The relative intensities of the more mobile fraction (# 1) significantly rose, while fractions # 3, 5 and 11 decreased 40 days post infection. It is concluded that the immune response of C gariepius is probably held responsible for the failure of Trichinella spiralis larvae to establish in this abnormal host.