Summary
The migration of Toxocara canis larvae in mices has been investigated. The organs and tissues in which the larvae may be found during various periods after infection are given together with pictorial evidence of their presence.
After penetration of the small intestine, the larvae appear in the hepatic portal and mesenteric veins, and mesenteric lymph glands. From these sites they migrate to the liver, which they enter either by way of the portal tracts or directly through the capsule. The larvae enter the liver via the hepatic veins and pass to the lungs. The evidence suggests that they leave these organs by any one of three routes: 1. Via the bronchioles. 2. By way of the pulmonary veins. 3. Directly through the capsule.
The larvae then appear in the brain and skeletal musculature. In the brain they do not promote a cellular response, but in the musculature each larva becomes enclosed in a fibrous tissue capsule.
No evidence was obtained that once the larvae were established in the brain and musculature, they were capable of continuing their migration even though they remained alive for at least one year after infection.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Done, J. T., M. D. Richardson, and T. E. Gibson: Experimental visceral larva migrans in the pig. Res. Vet. Sci. 1, 133–151 (1960).
Higashikawa, H.: Experimental studies on visceral larva migrans. Shikoku Acta med. 17, 1–20 (1961).
Irvine, W. C., and A. R. Irvine: Nematode endopthalmitis: Toxocara canis. Report of one case. Amer. J. Ophthal. 47 (5 Part 2), 185–191 (1959).
Ishii, T.: Studies on larva migrans. 2. Comparative studies on migratory behaviour and larval morphology of Toxocara canis and Ascaris suilla with regard to their re-infectivity. Jap. J. Parasit. 8, 558–566 (1959).
Matoff, K., and S. Komandarev: Comparative studies on the migration of the larvae of Toxascaris leonina and Toxascaris transfuga. Z. Parasitenk. 25, 538–555 (1965).
Olson, L. J.: Distribution of Toxocara canis Larvae in Normal Mice and in Mice Infected with Toxocara, Ascaris lumbricoides, or Trichinella spiralis. J. Parasit. 47 (4 sect. 2), 18 (1961).
—: Organ distribution of Toxocara canis larvae in normal mice and in mice previously infected with Toxocara, Ascaris and Trichinella. Tex. Rep. Biol. Med. 20, 651–657 (1962).
Oshima, T.: Standardization of techniques for infecting mice with Toxocara canis and observations on the normal migration routes of the larvae. J. Parasit. 47, 652–656 (1961).
Roneus, O.: Parasitic liver lesions in swine experimentally produced by visceral larva migrans of Toxocara cati. Acta vet. scand. 4, 170–196 (1963).
Sprent, J. F. A.: On the migratory behaviour of the larvae of various Ascaris species in white mice. I. Distribution of larvae in tissues. J. infect. Dis. 90, 165–176 (1952).
— On the migratory behaviour of the larvae of various Ascaris species in white mice. II. Longevity of encapsulated larvae and their resistance to freezing and putrefaction. J. infect. Dis. 92, 114–117 (1953).
— On the invasion of the central nervous system by nematodes. II. On the invasion of the central nervous system by nematodes. Parasitology 45, 41–55 (1955).
Taylor, J. H.: Toxocara infections in man and animals. Vet. Bull. (Weybridge) 34, 633–637 (1964).
Woodruffe, A. W., N. Ashton, and J. G. Stott: Toxocara canis infection of the eye. Trans. roy. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg. 55, 13 (1961).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Subject of a laboratory demonstration. Reference: Burren, C. H.: The migration of Toxocara canis larvae. Trans. roy. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg., 60, 1 (1966).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Burren, C.H. Experimental toxocariasis. Z. F. Parasitenkunde 30, 152–161 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00259724
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00259724