The targets of these lines of investigation are to discover how parasite and host communicate with one another. Data collected to date indicates that the success of tapeworm parasites depends upon their ability to regulate the small intestine's motility, food transit and the enteric bacterial population.
Investigations are underway to discover the mechanisms by which tapeworms alter intestinal behavior.
Representative Publications Holy, J.M., J.A. OAKS, M. Mika-Grieve and R. Grieve. Development and dynamics of regional specialization within the syncytial epidermis of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta . Intestinal myoelectric alterations in rats chronically infected with the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta . Praziquantel treatment normalizes intestinal myoelectric alterations associated with Hymenolepis diminuta infected rats. Tapeworm Infection decreases intestinal transit and enteric aerobic bacterial populations.