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Occurrence of myocarditis in rodents infected with Schistosoma mansoni
1Department of Parasitology, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Aomori, Japan.
Abstract:
Myocarditis is a complication of Schistosoma mansoni infection, although the literature does not provide much information regarding the frequency of myocarditis. In order to analyze the relationship between myocarditis and S. mansoni infection, different laboratory animals were infected with different dose of cercariae. At different weeks of post infection the hearts of infected animals were collected and processed for histopathological examination. Myocarditis was characterized by interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration with or without granuloma. ddY and ICR infected mice showed eosinophilic egg-granuloma in the heart where as neither eosinophil nor egg-granuloma were observed in the heart of infected gerbils. Higher number of eosinophils and greater size of the granuloma were found in the ddY mice than ICR mice. The number of eosinophils was significantly higher in severe myocarditis. Incidence of myocarditis was higher in ddY mice (69% with 100) than ICR mice (35%) and gerbils (23%). The results indicate that ddY mice were more susceptible to S. mansoni infection in the development of myocarditis and myocardial severity was associated with greater eosinophil infiltration. These findings suggest that eosinophils might be involved in the development of myocarditis, although the involvement of immunological reaction can not be ruled out.
Insights
Schistosoma mansoni infection can cause myocarditis. This study found ddY mice are more susceptible to myocarditis, with higher eosinophil infiltration linked to severity.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Pathology
Background:
- Myocarditis is a known complication of Schistosoma mansoni infection.
- Limited data exists on the frequency and mechanisms of S. mansoni-induced myocarditis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between Schistosoma mansoni infection and myocarditis.
- To determine the susceptibility of different laboratory animals to S. mansoni-induced myocarditis.
- To analyze the role of eosinophils in the development of myocarditis.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory animals (ddY mice, ICR mice, gerbils) were infected with S. mansoni cercariae.
- Hearts were collected at various post-infection weeks for histopathological examination.
- Myocarditis was identified by interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration and granuloma formation.
Main Results:
- Myocarditis incidence was highest in ddY mice (69%), followed by ICR mice (35%) and gerbils (23%).
- ddY mice exhibited significant eosinophilic egg-granuloma formation in the heart, unlike gerbils.
- Higher eosinophil counts and larger granulomas were observed in ddY mice, correlating with myocarditis severity.
Conclusions:
- ddY mice are more susceptible to developing myocarditis following S. mansoni infection.
- Eosinophil infiltration appears to play a role in the severity of myocarditis.
- Immunological reactions may also contribute to the development of myocarditis.