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A massive systematic infection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III in mice does not cause clinical signs
Bohumil Sak1, Klára Brdíčková2, Nikola Holubová3
1Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III disseminated intensively into most of the organs in all strains of mice, followed by a chronic infection with massive microsporidia persistence in immunodeficient mice and a partial decrease in C57Bl/6 mice. Treatment with 0.2 mg Albendazole/mouse/day temporarily reduces the number of affected organs in immunocompetent C57Bl/6 mice, but not in CD4-/- and CD8-/- mice. The application of medication temporarily decreased the spore burden at least by one order of magnitude in all groups. These results demonstrate that the E. cuniculi genotype III infection had a progressive course and surprisingly, Albendazole treatment had only a minimal effect. The E. cuniculi genotype III spore burden in individual organs reached up to 108 or 109 in immunocompetent or immunodeficient mice, respectively; however, these mice did not demonstrate any obvious clinical signs of microsporidiosis, and the immunodeficient mice survived longer. Our findings clearly show that the survival of mice does not correspond to spore burden, which provides new insight into latent microsporidiosis from an epidemiological point of view.
Insights
Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III causes chronic infections in mice, with Albendazole showing minimal impact on spore burden. Mouse survival did not correlate with high spore loads, suggesting insights into latent microsporidiosis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III is a significant pathogen causing chronic infections.
- Understanding the course and treatment of E. cuniculi genotype III is crucial for managing microsporidiosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dissemination and persistence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III in different mouse models.
- To evaluate the efficacy of Albendazole treatment on E. cuniculi genotype III infection.
- To explore the relationship between spore burden, clinical signs, and survival in infected mice.
Main Methods:
- Infection of immunocompetent (C57Bl/6) and immunodeficient (CD4-/-, CD8-/-) mice with E. cuniculi genotype III.
- Administration of Albendazole treatment to assess its therapeutic effect.
- Monitoring of organ dissemination, spore burden, clinical signs, and survival rates.
Main Results:
- E. cuniculi genotype III disseminated widely, leading to chronic infections with high spore persistence, especially in immunodeficient mice.
- Albendazole treatment provided only temporary reduction in affected organs and spore burden across all groups.
- High spore burdens (up to 10^9) did not correlate with obvious clinical signs or reduced survival, particularly in immunodeficient mice.
Conclusions:
- E. cuniculi genotype III infection follows a progressive course with limited response to Albendazole.
- Mouse survival is independent of spore burden, offering new perspectives on latent microsporidiosis and its epidemiology.
