Murine schistosomiasis mansoni: estimation on some immunohistological parameters of small bowel granulomas and renal...

One hundred and twenty five mice were divided into three groups: uninfected (I), and infected with 30 (II) and 60 (III) cercariae. Jejunal, ileal and renal sections were analyzed by direct immunofluorescence technique, aiming the detection of gamma globulins and complement C3. Intestinal sections were also stained by hematoxylin-eosin, during some periods of disease. The cellular composition of the jejunal and ileal granulomas seemed very similar, with many eosinophils and an increased number of mononuclear cells later on. The histological evaluation of these sections showed that the ileum may hold greater number of eggs, possibly being more affected than the jejunum. The results also suggest a mixed mechanism to the formation of intestinal granulomas, both cell and antibody mediated.