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Abstract Fifty stray dogs and puppies were collected from different localities of Assiut Governorate. They were examined for infection with Toxascaris leonina which were found in 70% of dogs and puppies. The Total of collected worms was 293, the males were 74 and the females were 219. For fixation and preservation of adult worms, they were immersed in hot alcohol 70%, heated to 60° C, and then preserved in 70% alcohol containing 5% glycerin. Males and females of Toxascaris leonina were described by light microscope and photographed. Also the eggs of Toxascaris leonina were described, measured and photographed by light microscope. Incubation period for infective stage (egg with 2nd larva stage) was measured, which was one week only after incubation at 25-30° C. Males, females and eggs were described by scanning electron microscope for studying of the fine features and these were compared with some previous studies which described the same species and different species of genus Toxascaris and Toxocara. Experimental white mice were inoculated with 5000 eggs of Toxascaris leonina which contained infective stage.The migration of larvae through most of mouse’s organs which included: intestine wall, liver, lungs, kidneys, left hind leg muscles and carcass which included heart, spleen, genital organs and diaphragm were studied. The numbers of larvae and their percentage were determined daily for 30 days. Larvae were found in all examined organs, they migrated through blood circulation and body cavity, finally they settled in the muscles. The morphological changes of infected organs were studied, these changes were found as the presence of white cysts of encysted larvae on the surface of some infected organs, massive hemorrhage on the lungs and enlarged size of liver, spleen and heart, and these results were compared with previous studies. Also the histopathological effects due to the infection of organs with larvae were studied, they were found in most tissues of the infected organs, and they were surrounded with massive cellular infiltration of lymphocytes, eosinophils and fibers as capsule around the larva, the hemorrhage also was detected in the lungs and kidneys. These results were compared with previous studies for the effects of infection with Toxocara canis larvae. There were no changes were observed in the brain of infected mice, brain appeared as quite normal brain tissue and larvae could not be seen. |