ABSTRACT
This chapter covers data from some larger animal models using domestic and wild swine, horses, and other extremely costly animals that host Trichinella species including even marine mammals and reptiles. Trichinella spp. are unique among various helminthes in that all three life cycle stages of the parasite-infective muscle larvae, adult, and newborn larvae develop in one host. Response of the host implies immunological and nonimmunological mechanisms at the level of intestine and muscles, engaged in the process of defense from Trichinella spiralis invasion. Mouse models of Trichinella infection represent useful tool either for investigation of efficacy of anti-helminthic drugs or for study of mechanisms involved in immunomodulation of inflammatory diseases or tumors by parasite. The chapter reviews the most significant observations gained in biological, pathological, and immunological studies performed on rodent models, namely inbred mice and rats, or genetically manipulated, which have the benefit of being easy to handle and relatively cost-effective.
