Trichuris suis Artificial Larval Hatching

The larvae of Trichuris suis – whipworm of pigs – can be used to stimulate the immune system of humans and thus block for up to 3 months of autoimmune reactions which lead to symptoms such as Morbus Crohn or ulcerative colitis. In cases of treatment, about 2,000 larvae-containing eggs have to be swallowed within some milliliter of water. In order to control, whether a sufficient number of larvae hatched and remained motile inside the intestine, a so-called hatch test must be done from time to time with stored eggs. By the way the larvae of T. suis do not reach maturity in humans, but die within 3 months after hatch. The process needs the following steps:

• 1. Incubation of the eggs in a 13 % hypochlorite solution at 40 °C and 5 % CO₂ for 2–5 h

• 2. Washing and centrifugation (1,000 rpm) within a Trichuris-hatching medium (see below)

• 3. Treatment with ultrasonic waves for 1 min

• 4. Transfer of treated eggs into plastic wells with hatching medium at 37–40 °C

• 5. Microscopical inspection of...