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Effect of immunomodulation on the course of experimental toxocariasis in mice
N H Mohamed1, S A Soffar, N M Sabry
1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Abstract:
Immunosuppressed groups treated with cortisone showed fulmination of Toxocara canis infection in terms of significant increase in brain parasitism, total larval count and significant decrease in the percentage reduction of the total count. Suppression of the host inflammatory responses was detected in the liver, lungs, brain and muscles. Accelerated transit of larvae through the liver was observed when cortisone was given before infection. Whether BCG was given before or after infection, it showed no significant changes regarding all criteria compared to the control group. Induction of diabetes, whether before or after infection, led to persistence of larvae in the liver, insignificant increase in brain and total larval parasitism and insignificant decrease in the percentage reduction of the total count.
Insights
Cortisone treatment worsened Toxocara canis infections in immunosuppressed hosts, increasing brain and total larval counts. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and diabetes induction showed minimal impact on infection progression.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Toxocara canis is a significant helminthic parasite.
- Immunosuppression can exacerbate parasitic infections.
- Understanding host-parasite interactions is crucial for treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of cortisone, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), and diabetes induction on Toxocara canis infection.
- To evaluate changes in larval distribution and host inflammatory responses.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infection of animal models with Toxocara canis larvae.
- Administration of cortisone, BCG, or induction of diabetes before or after infection.
- Assessment of larval counts in the brain, liver, lungs, and muscles.
- Evaluation of host inflammatory responses and larval clearance.
Main Results:
- Cortisone treatment led to increased brain parasitism, higher total larval counts, and reduced larval clearance.
- Cortisone suppressed inflammatory responses in multiple organs and accelerated larval liver transit when administered pre-infection.
- BCG administration showed no significant effect on infection parameters.
- Diabetes induction resulted in persistent liver larvae and non-significant increases in brain and total larval burdens.
Conclusions:
- Cortisone significantly exacerbates Toxocara canis infection by suppressing host immunity.
- BCG vaccination is ineffective in altering the course of this infection.
- Diabetes induction has a limited impact on Toxocara canis larval distribution and burden.