The severity of mouse pathologies caused by the bird schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti in relation to host immune status (original) (raw)

Abstract

Cercariae of the nasal bird schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti are able to penetrate into mammalian skin and migrate to the mouse central nervous system (CNS) causing tissue injury in certain cases. Our study shows that the severity of T. regenti pathologies in the CNS closely depends on the host immune status. During the primary infection of immunocompetent mice, the parasites evoked an acute inflammatory reaction in the skin and the CNS involving focal oedema and cellular infiltration of the tissue. Challenge infections resulted in the development of extensive inflammatory foci in the host skin which precluded the subsequent migration of the schistosomula to the CNS. On the other hand, during primary as well as challenge infections of immunodeficient mice (SCID), no significant immune response against the parasites was detected in any of the host organs examined; however, in contrast to immunocompetent mice, the infections were frequently manifested by severe leg paralysis.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mrs. Eva Benoniová for her excellent technical assistance. The investigation was supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Ministry of Health (No. NJ-6718-3).

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Tropical Medicine, 3rd Clinic of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Faculty Hospital Bulovka, 128 00 , Prague 2, Czech Republic
   P. Kouřilová
2. Department of Medical Microbiology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Studničkova 7, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
   P. Kouřilová
3. Department of Pathology, Hospital Na Homolce, Roentgenova 2, 150 30, Prague 5, Czech Republic
   M. Syrůček
4. National Reference Laboratory for Tissue Helminthoses, Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education, Prague, Czech Republic
   L. Kolářová
5. Department of Medical Microbiology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 85, 100 05 , Prague 10, Czech Republic
   L. Kolářová

Authors

1. P. Kouřilová
2. M. Syrůček
3. L. Kolářová

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Correspondence toL. Kolářová.

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Kouřilová, P., Syrůček, M. & Kolářová, L. The severity of mouse pathologies caused by the bird schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti in relation to host immune status.Parasitol Res 93, 8–16 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-004-1079-7

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• Received: 12 January 2004
• Accepted: 20 January 2004
• Published: 18 March 2004
• Issue date: May 2004
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-004-1079-7

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