Pathomorphologic findings in short-tailed voles (Microtus agrestis) experimentally-infected with Frenkelia microti

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Veterinary Pathology
• Wildlife Disease

Background:

• Frenkelia microti is an apicomplexan parasite known to infect various rodent species.
• Understanding the pathogenesis of Frenkelia microti is crucial for wildlife health and disease management.
• Microtus agrestis (field vole) serves as a model organism for studying helminth and protozoan infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the pathological changes and tissue tropism of Frenkelia microti following oral infection in Microtus agrestis.
• To determine the timeline of Frenkelia cyst development in the brain of infected voles.

Main Methods:

• Oral inoculation of Microtus agrestis with Frenkelia microti sporocysts.
• Histopathological examination of various organs, including the liver, lymphoid organs, heart, pulmonary veins, skeletal muscles, and brain.
• Microscopic observation for the presence and development of Frenkelia cysts.

Main Results:

• Transient focal necrosis and cellular infiltrations observed in the liver during the initial asexual multiplication phase.
• Hyperplasia of lymphoid organs and inflammatory infiltrations noted in the heart, pulmonary veins, skeletal muscles, and brain.
• Frenkelia cysts were first detected in the brain tissue 23 days post-infection.

Conclusions:

• Frenkelia microti infection in Microtus agrestis induces a multi-organ inflammatory response.
• The parasite disseminates to the brain, with cyst formation becoming evident approximately three weeks after infection.