Heligmosomoides, polygyrus, (syn. Nematospiroides, dubius), (Nematoda): distribution and net fluxes of glucose, H2O, Na+, K+, and Cl− in the mouse small intestine

Abstract

Mice were infected with 150 larvae of Heligmosomoides, polygyrus, and the effect of the worms on net fluxes of glucose, H2O, and electrolytes was followed from days 1–21 postinfection (PI) by means of an in vivo, perfusion technique. Maximum recovery of larvae was 77% at 5 days PI, and 64% for adults at 12 days PI following their emergence and migration into the duodenal lumen between days 7 and 9 PI. Inflammation decreased rapidly from day 9 PI onwards. Net glucose flux significantly decreased during the emergence of the adult worms (7–9 days PI). Water flux decreased and Na+ fluxes became negative at 5 days PI; Na+ and Cl− fluxes were negative at 7 days PI. Following the relocation of the adult worms in the proximal small intestine, fluxes returned to their normal levels. The differential changes in the net fluxes of glucose, H2O, and electrolytes suggest the secretion of a toxinlike substance by the parasites. In the normal mouse host, small infections have a temporary pathophysiological effect on the intestinal mucosa, differing significantly from previous studies using the abnormal rat host and large larval infections. As normal transmission of H. polygyrus, is by contamination, small infections, as employed in this study, probably reflect the natural condition.