Immunological Responses in the Prairie Rattlesnake CROTALUS VIRIDIS VIRIDIS Rafinesque 1818, to Laboratory Infection with Tetrathyridia of MESOCESTOIDES CORTI Hoeppli 1925 (Eucestoda : Mesocestoididea)

<p>Prairie rattlesnakes, of the species Crotalus viridis virldis, were orally, infected with tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides corti to determine the host response to the parasite. Snakes were maintained at constant temperatures of 25, 30, and 35 C for 4--24 weeks. Blood chemistry evaluations of the host were made by standard hematological methods. Eosinophil counts, total proteins, and serum gamma globulins increased while packed-cell volumes and hemoglobins decreased. Autopsy studies revealed the first documented asexual multiplication of Mesocestoides corti in a laboratory infected ectothemic host, with the small intestine being the preferred organ. Pseudocyst formation was first observed to occur at 4 weeks and reached maturity at 8 weeks. Immature pseudocysts consisted of one layer of fibroblasts, but mature ones had an outer layer of fibroblast, an interface layer, and an inner layer of mononuclear cells. Temperature was an important variable in this research, with most pronounced changes in blood chemistry, rate of proliferation, and immune response seen at 30 C.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

1976

Author dc:creator

• Hanson, Gray Bruce

Contributors dc:contributor

• Elmer A. Widmer
• Raymond E. Ryckman
• Edward D. Wagner
• Elwood S. McCluskey
• Arthur E. Dalglesih

• Biology
• Rattlesnakes -- Parasites; Rattlesnakes -- Research

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/568

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1739