Experimental Studies On Egg Development, Hatching and Retrofection in Aspiculuris Tetraptera.

Abstract

1. Observations were made on the development and hatching of eggs of Aspiculuris tetraptera in different media, preparatory to experiments investigating the possible occurrence of retrofection in this Oxyurid. Eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were studied under similar conditions.2. Infective eggs of A. tetraptera were applied to the anal opening of clean mice which were immobilized in cages specially designed to prevent the possibility of oral infection. Of 12 mice treated thus evidence was obtained from 6, by the finding of immature or adult worms in the intestine, that retrofection had taken place. This constitutes the first experimental proof of the occurrence of retrofection in a non-human Oxyurid.