Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2009
It is well known that the first two larval stages in the life cycle of nematodes belonging to the superfamily Strongloidea, have a freeliving existence. During this time, the larva which hatches from the egg feeds actively, undergoes two moults and grows considerably before reaching the infective stage, when it is ready to invade a definitive host. Under natural conditions this external development takes place in the faeces, which have been deposited by the infected host on ground likely to be contaminated with various bacteria.