Recovery, Growth, and Development of Acanthoparyphium tyosenense (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) in Experimental Chicks

Chicks were experimentally infected with Acanthoparyphium tyosenense (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) metacercariae per os, and the growth and development of worms in this host were observed from days 1 to 38 postinfection (PI). The worms grew rapidly and matured sexually in the small intestine (chiefly in the jejunum) of chicks by day 5 PI, and survived at least up to day 38 PI, although worm recovery decreased after day 5 PI. Both parenchymal and reproductive organs increased greatly in size from day 2 to day 10 PI and then continued to increase gradually in size up to day 38 PI. The number of uterine eggs reached a peak on days 10 and 15 PI and then decreased gradually. The results suggest that chicks are a fairly suitable definitive host for experimental infection with A. tyosenense.