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Experimental infection of athymic mice with the human microsporidian Nosema corneum
H Silveira1, E U Canning, J A Shadduck
1Department of Biology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK.
Abstract:
Athymic mice (BALB/c nu/nu/Ola/Hsd) were experimentally infected intraperitoneally with Nosema corneum spores. Infection was monitored in the first and second weeks post-infection. The liver, spleen, kidney, intestine, lung, heart, brain and eye were collected. Quantification of infection in each organ using three different techniques gave approximately the same pattern of infection. Infection increased with time. Histological observations were made on the sites of infection in each organ. All organs were infected, the liver being the most heavily infected. The eye was infected in the retina in contrast to the cornea which was the site of infection in the original host. The present study of N. corneum in athymic mice has shown that this system could also be used to study host-parasite relationships and serve as a model for testing therapeutic agents. Previously the only microsporidian serving as a suitable model for human microsporidiosis was Encephalitozoon cuniculi.
Insights
Athymic mice infected with Nosema corneum showed widespread organ infection, with the liver most affected. This study establishes a new model for microsporidian host-parasite research and therapeutic testing.
Area of Science:
- * Immunology
- * Parasitology
- * Infectious Diseases
Background:
- * Microsporidia are opportunistic pathogens causing human infections.
- * Encephalitozoon cuniculi has been the primary model for human microsporidiosis.
- * Nosema corneum infection models are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate Nosema corneum infection in athymic mice.
- * To evaluate athymic mice as a model for microsporidian host-parasite interactions.
- * To assess the potential for testing therapeutic agents against microsporidiosis.
Main Methods:
- * Athymic mice (BALB/c nu/nu/Ola/Hsd) were infected intraperitoneally with Nosema corneum.
- * Infection was monitored weekly for two weeks.
- * Organs (liver, spleen, kidney, intestine, lung, heart, brain, eye) were collected for quantification and histological analysis.
Main Results:
- * Nosema corneum infected all examined organs, with the liver showing the highest infection load.
- * Infection intensity increased over the two-week observation period.
- * Ocular infection occurred in the retina, differing from the cornea in the original host.
Conclusions:
- * Athymic mice provide a viable model system for studying Nosema corneum infections.
- * This model can be used to explore host-parasite relationships in microsporidiosis.
- * The model shows promise for evaluating novel therapeutic strategies against microsporidian diseases.
