Collagen metabolism in experimental filariasis

Chronic lymphatic filariasis is accompanied by edema and fibrosis. In order to assess the latter response, the tissue content of collagen was measured in the skin and lymphatic vessels of normal and affected limbs of cats infected by Brugia malayi. Collagen content, expressed per gram wet weight of tissue, was increased in the infected limbs for both kinds of tissues. Moreover, the proportion of acetic acid soluble to total collagen was increased. The degree of crosslinking in soluble collagen was assessed by acrylamide gel electrophoresis and shown to be decreased in infected tissues. These data suggest an increased rate of collagen metabolism in Brugia malayi-infected tissues and provide data for future studies evaluating the efficacy of treatment in chronic experimental filariasis.