Experimental models of mansonian schistosomiasis: Akodon arviculoides (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Abstract

The experimental infection of A. arviculoides through different routes of penetration of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae (Transcutaneous and subcutaneous) was studied by the cinetics of egg elimination in stools, by the recovery and localization of adult worms (in the portal system and the mesenteric veins) and through the quantitative egg count. It was shown that A. arviculoides infection is similar to the albino mice which served as control in relation to the efficiency of penetration routes, to the adult worms habitat and the egg count. These results suggest that other aspects of the host-parasite relationship should be evaluate so that A. arviculoides may be indicated as an alternative experimental model in schistosomiasis studies.