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Chemotactic behaviour of Strongyloides stercoralis infective larvae on a sodium chloride gradient

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 October 2003

W. M. FORBES ,
F. T. ASHTON ,
R. BOSTON  and
G. A. SCHAD
W. M. FORBES
Affiliation:
Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
F. T. ASHTON
Affiliation:
Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
R. BOSTON
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA
G. A. SCHAD
Affiliation:
Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Abstract

Chemotactic responses of Strongyloides stercoralis infective larvae (L3) to sodium chloride (NaCl) were investigated by recording larval tracks on a saline gradient in agarose. On agarose, larvae migrated randomly, whereas when placed at 0·01 M NaCl larvae moved to approximately 1·1 M NaCl where they turned, headed down the gradient and eventually remained circling at a favoured salinity (0·03–0·07 M). Conversely, when placed at 2·85 M NaCl, the L3 larvae moved unidirectionally to lower, more favoured salt concentrations. Here they circled, changing directions frequently while making ‘loop-like’ tracks. Larvae were immobilized within 5 min at salt concentrations exceeding 3 M NaCl. When placed at 0·01 M NaCl, 51·1%±26·9 migrated to 1·1 M NaCl after 2 min, and 80%±18·7 did so after 8 min, at an average velocity of 4·1±1·4 mm/min. Larvae (53·6%±21·6) were repelled from 2·85 M NaCl to lower concentrations after 2 min. After 8 min, 95%±11·1 were repelled, moving at an average velocity of 6·2±1·1 mm/min. Using this bioassay, the influence of neuronal control over chemotactic behaviour of S. stercoralis and other parasitic nematodes can be elucidated.

Keywords

nematodeStrongyloides stercoralisinfective larvaechemotaxissodium chloride gradient
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 127 , Issue 2 , August 2003 , pp. 189 - 197
Copyright
2003 Cambridge University Press

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