Longevity of Trypanosoma murmanensis in the marine leech, Johanssonia sp.

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Khan, R. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1978
• Subjects: Leech; atlantic cod; Gadus morhua
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z78-278; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z78-278

A study was carried out to ascertain the longevity of trypanosome infections in leeches, Johanssonia sp. The latter were fed initially on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) harbouring trypanosomes and then refed at intervals on uninfected fish following digestion of each blood meal. The results indicate that infections in some leeches can persist through five to six feedings, i.e. 542–749 days after the initial blood meal, provided the fasting periods do not exceed about 5 months. Survival is attributed to residual stages in the proboscis.