The pathogenesis of benzimidazole-resistant and benizimidazole-susceptible strains of trichostrongylus colubriformis in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Mongolian gerbils were infected with either a benzimidazole-susceptible or a benzimidazole-resistant strain of Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae. The comparative pathogenesis of both strains of T. colubriformis was investigated for 50 days post-infection. The gerbils infected with the drug-susceptible strain of the parasite showed lower survival rates, reduced body weights, higher parasite egg output and higher worm burdens than animals infected with the drug-resistant strain of parasite. There was also evidence of an enhanced hypoalbuminaemia and a more marked gastrointestinal plasma leak in the gerbils infected with the drug-susceptible strain of parasite. Scanning electron microscope examination of the small intestine showed signs of villus atrophy in both groups of infected gerbils.