Estimation of the mutagenic potential of the trematode Opisthorchis felineus in experimentally infected guinea pigs.

We studied the mutagenic potential of the trematode Opisthorchis felineus in experimentally infected guinea pigs by chromosome analysis. The investigation was conducted on 30 treated (experimentally infected) and 20 normal (uninfected) guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). A sample of living metacercariae of O. felineus was obtained from the muscle of naturally infected crucian carp captured in the Tom River, and 1 ml suspension containing approximately 50 metacercariae in 0.9% NaCl solution was individually given p.o. to guinea pigs that were used as treated specimens, whereas normal guinea pigs from the same stock were given 1 ml 0.9% NaCl solution per individual to serve as controls. The treated and control animals were killed by CO2 asphyxiation and decapitation at 7, 15, 30, 45, and 120 days after contamination. The smears of bone marrow cells for chromosome analysis were prepared by a standard method. Statistical analysis of the data was done using Student's t-test. We found that experimental infection of guinea pigs with O. felineus induced significantly high frequencies of hypoploid cells and, at the 120th day p.i., led to a considerable incidence of chromatid breaks and polyploidy in bone marrow cells.