Transmammary transmission ofStrongyloides ratti

Abstract

The rate of transmammary transmission of Stronglyloides ratti was examined in albino rats in terms of the route of subcutaneous (s.c.) migration from the infection site (the skin) to the cranium. Inoculation sites nearer the cranium resulted in less frequent transmammary infection. The maximum number of adult worms was recovered from the sucklings when the mother was inoculated in her hindquarter and sucklings were allowed to feed for 30-36 h after inoculation (AI). Few worms were recovered from sucklings when they were allowed to nurse during periods of less than 24 h AI or greater than 42 h AI. In lactating mothers, larval infection of the mammary glands was commonly observed, and these larvae showed an increased esophagus length. In nonlactating mothers, most larvae completed their migration to the cranium within 36 h AI.

The biology of Strongyloides spp.

“…Hypobiosis or dormancy of Strongyloides L3s may or may not be central to the maintenance of chronic infections, but it is key to another mode of transmission: transmammary transmission. There is evidence of transmammary transmission in S. ratti and S. venezuelensis in rats (Nolan and Katz, 1981;Kawanabe et al, 1988), S. stercoralis in dogs (Shoop et al, 2002), S. fuelleborni kellyi in humans (Ashford et al, 1992), and several species affecting livestock including S. ransomi in swine (Stewart et al, 1976), S. westeri in horses (Lyons, 1994), and S. papillosus in ruminants (Moncol and Grice, 1974). Infective L3s transmitted by the transmammary route presumably arrest their development and migration in the mammary glands, and then re-activate at lactation.…”

Transmission of Infectious Diseases Through Breast Milk and Breastfeeding

“…211,302,382 Only one report of transmammary passage of Strongyloides larvae in humans is available. Most infections are asymptomatic, but clinically significant infection in humans can include larval skin invasion, tissue migration, intestinal invasion with abdominal pain and GI symptoms, and a Loeffler-like syndrome due to migration to the lungs.…”

Strongyloides spp.

“…Hypobiosis or dormancy of Strongyloides L3s may or may not be central to the maintenance of chronic infections, but it is key to another mode of transmission: transmammary transmission. There is evidence of transmammary transmission in S. ratti and S. venezuelensis in rats (Nolan and Katz, 1981;Kawanabe et al, 1988), S. stercoralis in dogs (Shoop et al, 2002), S. fuelleborni kellyi in humans (Ashford et al, 1992) and several species affecting livestock including S. ransomi in swine (Stewart et al, 1976), S. westeri in horses (Lyons, 1994) and S. papillosus in ruminants (Moncol and Grice, 1974). Infective L3s transmitted by the transmammary route presumably arrest their development and migration in the mammary glands, and then re-activate at lactation.…”