Retinochoroiditis is induced by oral administration of Toxoplasma gondii cysts in the hamster model

Administration of Toxoplasma cysts by intraperitoneal innoculation in the S yrian Golden Hamster provides a reproducible animal model of acquired Toxop lasmic retinochoroiditis and cysts are observed in the brain. However, toxo plasmosis is frequently acquired by oral ingestion of contaminated foodstuf fs and it is recognised that the route by which disease is acquired may inf luence its pathogenesis and clinical expression. This study aimed to determ ine whether retinochorioiditis and cysts in the brain develop after oral in gestion in the Syrian Golden Hamster model as this is the route of inductio n akin to that in man and may therefore be more relevant in the study of di sease pathogenesis. All animals developed disease by 4 weeks. Ocular and ce rebral inflammation was confirmed by histology at 16 weeks and this was mil der than in the original model. (C) 1999 Academic Press.