Infectivity, growth, and distribution of Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda) in the ICR mouse

Host-parasite interactions of the intestinal trematode Echinostoma caproni were studied in ICR laboratory mice. All of 40 mice, each fed 25 metacercarial cysts of Echinostoma caproni, were infected 1-20 wk postinfection (PI) with a mean of 17.2 worms/host. At 24 and 29 wk PI only 2 of 6 mice (33%) were infected, with a mean of 4.2 worms/host. Mean body area of worms increased rapidly to about 5 mm2 by week 2, increased less rapidly to 8.8 mm2 by week 12, plateaued until week 24, and then declined. Mean dry weight of worms increased rapidly to about 0.5 mg by week 2, less rapidly to 1.4 mg by week 12, and then plateaued until week 24 PI. From 1 to 8 wk PI most worms localized in the jejunum and ileum; later most worms were in the jejunum and duodenum. Considerable differences were seen in the growth and distribution of E. caproni in the ICR mouse compared with previous studies on this echinostome species in the NMRI mouse.