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Gnathostoma spinigerum: immunodepression in experimental infected mice
Wilai Saksirisampant1, Sunida Thaisom, Mai Ratanavararak
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Sukhumvit 23 Road, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. fmedwss@md.chula.ac.th
Experimental Parasitology
|September 6, 2012
Summary
Gnathostoma spinigerum infection in mice impairs T-cell responses, particularly in chronic stages. This immune defect is reversible with anthelmintic treatment, suggesting a role for Th-2 responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Nematology
Background:
- Gnathostoma spinigerum is a nematode parasite causing human gnathostomiasis.
- The cellular immune status during Gnathostoma spinigerum infection is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular immune status in mice infected with Gnathostoma spinigerum.
- To clarify the T-cell response dynamics during acute and chronic infection phases.
Main Methods:
- Mice were infected with varying doses of Gnathostoma spinigerum third-stage larvae (L3).
- Spleen cells were assessed for lymphoproliferative responses to Concanavalin A (Con A) and L3 somatic antigen at different time points post-infection.
- The effect of anthelmintic treatment (ivermectin) on immune responses was evaluated.
Main Results:
- Infected mice showed reduced spleen cell proliferation in response to Con A, especially in chronic infection.
- Lymphoproliferative responses to L3 somatic antigen were also depressed in high-dose and chronic infections.
- Immune depression was more pronounced at later infection stages (day 200 PI).
- Anthelmintic treatment reversed the observed T-cell hyporesponsiveness.
Conclusions:
- Gnathostoma spinigerum infection leads to a defective T-cell response in the mouse model.
- The observed T-cell defect is associated with active infection and is reversible.
- A Th-2 type immune response is implicated in regulating T-cell proliferation during this nematode infection.
