The So-called Tissue Phase in Nematodes

Abstract

Big variations have been reported in the extent of occurrence of the so-called “histotropic or tissue phase” (“dormant larvae”) especially in intestinal nematodes. In several species these variations were found by some authors, not by others, and also not always by the same author. From this fact, and from the well known retardation of growth of larvae during their stay in the tissue, it was concluded that it does not represent a phase in the sense of a behavioural pattern innate to the parasite, but rather a phenomenon dependent upon the degree of resistance in the host.