Behavioural changes and muscle strength inRattus norvegicusexperimentally infected withToxocara catiandT. canis

Abstract

AbstractToxocara canisandToxocara catiare nematode parasites in dogs and cats, respectively, transmitted by ingestion of embryonated eggs, transmammary and transplacental (T. canis) routes and paratenic host predation. Many parasites use mechanisms that change the behaviour of their hosts to ensure continued transmission. Several researchers have demonstrated behavioural changes in mouse models as paratenic hosts forT. canis. However, there have been no studies on behavioural changes in laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus)experimentally infected withT. cati. This study investigated behavioural changes and muscle strength in male and female rats experimentally infected withT. catiorT. canisin acute and chronic phases of infection. Regardless of sex, rats infected withT. catishowed a greater decrease in muscle strength 42 days post infection compared to rats infected withT. canis. However, behavioural changes were only observed in female rats infected withT. canis.