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Necator americanus in inbred mice: a re-evaluation of primary infection kinetics
1Department of Life Science, University of Nottingham, UK.
Abstract:
The course of a primary Necator americanus infection was studied in the lungs and small intestines of syngeneic mice. Following percutaneous infection no difference in initial larval establishment in the lungs was found between male BALB/c, NIH or B10.G mice. However, significant differences in the subsequent kinetics of infection were demonstrated between the BALB/c and NIH strains. Lung worm burdens declined more slowly in NIH mice than in BALB/c strain. Surprisingly, however, a greater proportion of larvae remaining in the lungs of BALB/c mice, 9 days p.i., were trapped than in NIH mice. Nevertheless, establishment in the small intestines of the BALB/c strain was consistently greater than in NIH mice. Host immunosuppression resulted in increased larval retention in the lungs of both the BALB/c and NIH strains as well as in the small intestines of BALB/c mice. Treatment with hydrocortisone acetate did not increase intestinal worm burdens in NIH mice. The data presented suggest that, in this complex, dynamic model system, designation of 'susceptible' and 'resistant' strains is inappropriate. The factors underlying the observed strain differences in resistance to infection are discussed.
Insights
Mouse strain differences influence Necator americanus infection kinetics. BALB/c mice showed greater intestinal worm establishment than NIH mice, despite NIH mice having slower lung worm burden decline.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Necator americanus is a hookworm causing significant human disease.
- Understanding host-parasite interactions is crucial for developing effective interventions.
- Murine models are used to study hookworm infection dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate strain-specific differences in Necator americanus infection.
- To analyze the kinetics of infection in the lungs and small intestines of different mouse strains.
- To assess the impact of immunosuppression on infection patterns.
Main Methods:
- Percutaneous infection of syngeneic mice (BALB/c, NIH, B10.G) with Necator americanus larvae.
- Quantification of larval establishment and burdens in lungs and small intestines at various time points.
- Evaluation of host immunosuppression effects using hydrocortisone acetate.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in initial lung larval establishment among strains.
- BALB/c mice exhibited greater small intestinal worm establishment than NIH mice.
- NIH mice showed slower decline of lung worm burdens compared to BALB/c mice.
- Immunosuppression increased larval retention in lungs and intestines (BALB/c).
Conclusions:
- Strain-specific differences in Necator americanus infection kinetics exist.
- The terms 'susceptible' and 'resistant' may be oversimplifications for this model.
- Host factors significantly influence parasite burden and localization.