Development of Onchocerca volvulus in humanized NSG mice and detection of parasite biomarkers in urine and serum

Patton, John B.; Bennuru, Sasisekhar; Eberhard, Mark L.; Hess, Jessica A.; Torigian, April; Lustigman, Sara; Nutman, Thomas B.; Abraham, David

The objective of this project was to identify small animal models that would support the development of black-fly derived O. volvulus L3 into advanced mammalian-adapted stages of the parasite. These small animal models are critically needed for identifying biomarkers released from the early stages of the infection and for screening potential new anthelmintics. Published findings on the susceptibility of mice to infection with the L3 of O. volvulus suggest that mice are resistant to infection when the larvae were injected subcutaneously [14] . However, O. volvulus L3 have been shown to survive and develop in mice when implanted within diffusion chambers at rates comparable to those seen in susceptible primates [17] .