Effects of Taenia Pisiformis Infection and Obesity on Clinical Parameters, Organometry and Fat Distribution in Male Rabbits

Abstract

Taenia pisiformis infection causes important economic loss in farms. It is suggested that obesity has a major impact on infection and reproduction. We addressed the impact of T. pisiformis infection in normal and obese rabbits to evaluate its effect on parameters important in behavior and reproduction. T. pisiformis infection in obese rabbits decreased body weight. In the obese-infected rabbits, eosinophils and heterophiles were increased 23% by the infection (P ≤ 0.05). T. pisiformis decreased cholesterol by 13% in normal weight infected rabbits and 10% in obese group (P ≤ 0.05), while triglyceride and VLDL were increased by 23% and 45% in the non-infected obese group (P ≤ 0.05). The infection increased serum cortisol levels only in normal weight rabbits (P ≤ 0.05). Liver weight was 20% higher in obese and obese-infected rabbits (P ≤ 0.05). Testicular weight in obese-infected was 46% higher than normal weight (P ≤ 0.0001) and 20% more than the obese-non-infected (P ≤ 0.0001). Furthermore, the infection reduced the weight of submandibular glands in infected and obese-infected rabbits (P ≤ 0.05), body fat increased 10% in the obese-infected than in the obese, and infected group was 35% over the normal weight non-infected (P ≤ 0.01). Our results show that T. pisiformis alters metabolic characteristics in rabbits, which can impact on the production and welfare of animals.

Molecular Confirmation of Massive Taenia pisiformis Cysticercosis in One Rabbit in Poland

“…It is well known that T. pisiformis is a typical parasite of lagomorphs, especially rabbits and hares [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. To date, this parasite has mostly been examined using the traditional detection method—identification of the macroscopic characteristics of the cysticercus and diagnosis by host specificity after autopsy.…”

“…Nevertheless, Hallal-Calleros et al [ 21 ] observed a loss of fertility in rabbits suffering from T. pisiformis cysticercosis, and Alzaga et al [ 19 ] noted its negative relationship to kidney fat in the Iberian hare. Arias-Hernandez et al [ 20 ] showed that rabbits infected with this parasite have modified metabolic characteristics (e.g., lipid metabolism), which may affect production and animal welfare. Moreover, in the case of obesity, these changes are intensified.…”

Helminth infection and helminth-derived products: A novel therapeutic option for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

“…demonstrated that Schistosoma mansoni ( S. mansoni ) infection improves glucose tolerance, body mass and liver steatosis in HFD mice but aggravates pathological damage to the liver in mice ( 98 ). Similarly, Taenia pisiformis infection decreases body weight and cholesterol level in obese rabbits and changes the metabolic features in rabbits ( 99 ). Bhargava et al.…”

“…Most reports on helminth regulation of NAFLD-related diseases, including obesity, T2DM, and MetS, focused on nematodes and trematodes, such as N. brasiliensis , H. polygyrus , L. sigmodontis , S. venezuelensis , S. mansoni , and S. japonicum ( 95 ). In the case of cestodes, only T. pisiformis interventions were seen in obese rabbits ( 99 ). In addition, ESPs from larval E. granulosus can reverse HF-induced gut barrier dysfunction and microbiota dysbiosis, thereby protecting against obesity-associated neurodegenerative diseases ( 133 ).…”

Identification and Expression Profiling of Circulating MicroRNAs in Serum of Cysticercus pisiformis-Infected Rabbits

“…In China, T. pisiformis has also been reported [6]. Once infected with C. pisiformis, rabbits will show decreased prolificacy, weight loss and weakened immunological resistance, causing serious economic losses to the rabbit breeding industry [7,8]. The Dot-ELISA diagnostic method has been reported for detection of C. pisiformis, but has high false positive rate limit applicability [9].…”