EXPERIMENTAL-INFECTION OF NUDE-MICE AS A MODEL FOR SARCOCYSTIS NEURONA-ASSOCIATED ENCEPHALITIS

The development of a rodent model for the study of Sarcocystis neurona encephalitis is described, Animal models have been developed for a nu mber of protozoal parasites, however, no such model exists for S. neur ona. The approach used in this study is similar to that employed for o ther closely related protozoal parasites such as Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. A time course of infection was examined, and histop athology. immunohistochemistry. and parasite isolation were used to ex amine the pathogenesis and follow the infection from 1 to 6 weeks post inoculation. S. neurona was associated with the development of encepha litis in these mice. and the immune status determined the susceptibili ty of these mice to S. neurona-associated encephalitis.