The role of the host in the regulation of end-product formation in two strains of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta

• Published in: International journal for parasitology Vol. 20; no. 7; pp. 841 - 848
• Main Authors: Bennet, E.M., Behm, C.A., Bryant, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.11.1990; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Acetates - metabolism; ammonia; Animals; Biochemistry. Physiology. Immunology. Molecular biology; Biological and medical sciences; cestode; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; host environment; host strains; Host-Parasite Interactions; Hymenolepiasis - parasitology; Hymenolepis - metabolism; Hymenolepis diminuta; Invertebrates; Lactates - metabolism; metabolic end-products; Nemathelminthia. Plathelmintha; Nippostrongylus brasiliensis; organic acids; parasite strains; Physiology. Development; Rats; secondary infections; Succinates - metabolism; variability; cestode; host environment; parasite strains; secondary infections; ammonia; host strains; metabolic end-products; Hymenolepis diminuta; variability; Nippostrongylus brasiliensis; organic acids; Host parasite relation; Energy metabolism; Genetic variability; Plathelmintha; Parasite; Acetate; Cestoda; Strain; Ammonia; Lactates; Regulation(control); Helmintha; Nemathelminthia; Invertebrata; Nematoda
• ISSN: 0020-7519; 1879-0135
• DOI: 10.1016/0020-7519(90)90021-E

Individual worms from rats infected with different strains of Hymenolepis diminuta were incubated in vitro and the products lactate, succinate, acetate and ammonia assayed. Variability in excretion was not confined to differences between strains. Two metabolic types were identified. Where succinate was above 20 μmol g −1 h −1, lactate excretion was low. Where succinate was not detected, lactate excretion was high. Acetate excretion was variable. Lactate and ammonia excretion were positively correlated. All worms from one rat were of the same type but could be of either type from different rats. The host strain had no effect. A relationship was shown between lactate excretion and the number of worms from a standard inoculum present at 21 days of infection. The incidence of high lactate excretion was increased in worms from secondary infections. Components of the host immune response may thus exert effects on the metabolism of H. diminuta, manifest as shifts in emphasis on cytosolic and mitochondrial metabolism.