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Histological studies of selected organs of mice experimentally infected with Acanthamoeba spp
Katarzyna Górnik1, Wanda Kuźna-Grygiel
1Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland. kuzgryg@sci.pam.szczecin.pl
Abstract:
Histological studies of the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, and the spleen were carried out in mice previously infected with 6 pathogenic strains of free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba. The potential virulence of the strains studied was determined on the basis of re-isolation of the amoebae from the organs of the inoculated animals and by the extent of the histopathological changes inflicted. The most virulent was strain AD16, affecting all organs of the inoculated mice, while the least virulent was strain AD148 re-isolated from the brain of a single mouse. The extent of the changes in the brain depended upon the amoebae strain, while in the remaining organs it also depended upon the duration of the infection.
Insights
This study investigated the virulence of six Acanthamoeba strains in mice. Strain AD16 was most virulent, affecting all organs, while AD148 showed the least virulence, impacting only the brain.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pathology
- Immunology
Background:
- Free-living amoebae, particularly Acanthamoeba, are increasingly recognized as opportunistic pathogens.
- Acanthamoeba infections can cause severe neurological and ocular diseases in humans.
- Understanding the virulence factors and host-pathogen interactions is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the comparative virulence of six pathogenic Acanthamoeba strains in a murine model.
- To determine the histopathological effects of Acanthamoeba infection across various organs.
- To identify the most virulent strains and understand the factors influencing disease severity.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, and spleen in infected mice.
- Re-isolation of Acanthamoeba strains from inoculated animal organs to assess dissemination.
- Quantification of histopathological changes to determine the extent of tissue damage.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in virulence were observed among the six Acanthamoeba strains.
- Strain AD16 demonstrated the highest virulence, causing widespread infection and pathology in all examined organs.
- Strain AD148 exhibited the lowest virulence, with amoebae re-isolated from only one mouse's brain.
- Brain lesions correlated with the specific Acanthamoeba strain, while other organs showed changes dependent on both strain and infection duration.
Conclusions:
- Acanthamoeba strains possess varying degrees of virulence, impacting different organs to diverse extents.
- Strain AD16 represents a highly virulent model for studying Acanthamoeba pathogenesis.
- The duration of infection plays a significant role in the severity of histopathological changes in organs beyond the brain.
