Capillaria hepatica: an experimental study of infection in white mice.

C. hepatica were found in 15.8% of wild caught rats. Experimental studies showed that the host reaction started specifically against developing worm as early as the 9th day post infection. Eggs started to develop inside uterus in the 3rd week P.I. The second month of infection was the maximum growth and activity of worm, egglying, severe liver destruction and necrosis, degeneration, granuloma formation as well as the greatest humoral and cellular responses of the host. By the third month P.I., there was a gradual increase of the fibroblastic activity around the already formed granuloma and a decrease of antibody level in peripheral blood. Areas of hepatic regeneration started between the fibrotic granulomas and the liver enzymatic reactions returned gradually to their normal levels. Viable eggs were seen until the eighth month of infection free or surrounded by fibrous tissue.