Schistosomatium douthitti: biochemical and morphological effects of an experimental infection in mice. 1988

G B Raiczyk, and J C Hall
Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07102.

The pathophysiological changes that occur in mice experimentally infected with Schistosomatium douthitti were studied. Male ICR mice, 6-8 weeks in age, were exposed to 100 cercariae of S. douthitti from infected snails (Lymnaea catascopium) and sacrificed weekly for a total of 13 weeks. Liver homogenates, serum samples, and histological sections of liver tissue were examined. Results showed that body weights of animals with prepatent infections were higher than those of corresponding controls. After patency, which occurred at 5 weeks, body weights were lower and liver weights were higher resulting in significantly increased liver weight/body weight ratios. Hematocrit values declined progressively in patent infections. Total cholesterol in liver was generally higher in the parasitized groups reaching significance during patency. Values rose with age in both control and parasitized groups, but sooner in the latter. Free cholesterol was increased in the liver of animals with patent infections. Total lipid content of the liver was reduced in the infected animals throughout the study. Both liver glycogen and serum glucose levels in the infected animals rose over the control values. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (E.C.3.1.3.1) was elevated in liver tissue of infected mice. Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (E.C.2.6.1.2) activity was higher in serum but lower in the livers of animals harboring patent infections. Total bile salt concentration in parasitized animals did not differ appreciably from control values; however, gallbladders were enlarged five times in the infected animals. Histologically, liver sections from infected mice showed granulomas in various stages of formation and degeneration. Granulomas contained from 1 to 40 schistosome eggs. After 6 weeks of infection, granulomas were characterized by many neutrophils and monocytes. Few lymphocytes and eosinophils were present. As the granulomas developed, fibroblasts and connective tissue became more prominent. Glycogen deposits were observed surrounding granulomas and were increased in older infections. Adult worms contained abundant amounts of glycogen and cholesterol in their parenchymal tissues.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008055 Lipids A generic term for fats and lipoids, the alcohol-ether-soluble constituents of protoplasm, which are insoluble in water. They comprise the fats, fatty oils, essential oils, waxes, phospholipids, glycolipids, sulfolipids, aminolipids, chromolipids (lipochromes), and fatty acids. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) Lipid
D008099 Liver A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. Livers
D008112 Liver Glycogen Glycogen stored in the liver. (Dorland, 28th ed) Hepatic Glycogen,Glycogen, Hepatic,Glycogen, Liver
D008297 Male Males
D008813 Mice, Inbred ICR An inbred strain of mouse that is used as a general purpose research strain, for therapeutic drug testing, and for the genetic analysis of CARCINOGEN-induced COLON CANCER. Mice, Inbred ICRC,Mice, ICR,Mouse, ICR,Mouse, Inbred ICR,Mouse, Inbred ICRC,ICR Mice,ICR Mice, Inbred,ICR Mouse,ICR Mouse, Inbred,ICRC Mice, Inbred,ICRC Mouse, Inbred,Inbred ICR Mice,Inbred ICR Mouse,Inbred ICRC Mice,Inbred ICRC Mouse
D009929 Organ Size The measurement of an organ in volume, mass, or heaviness. Organ Volume,Organ Weight,Size, Organ,Weight, Organ
D001786 Blood Glucose Glucose in blood. Blood Sugar,Glucose, Blood,Sugar, Blood
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D002784 Cholesterol The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils. Epicholesterol
D005260 Female Females

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