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Cytopathic effect of Blastocystis hominis after intramuscular inoculation into laboratory mice
K T Moe1, M Singh, P Gopalakrishnakone
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract:
The present study investigated the pathogenesis of Blastocystis hominis by intramuscular injection of the organism into experimental mice. A total of 27 naïve BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were injected in the leg muscle with axenic culture isolate B of B. hominis. Histological examination at different times revealed that B. hominis could produce a severe inflammatory reaction and myonecrosis. Most changes were observed at 6 h after injection and for up to 2-3 days. By 2 weeks the muscle had regained normal histology. There was infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PML) into the injection site, indicating that B. hominis had a strong chemoattractant activity for PML.
Insights
Blastocystis hominis causes severe inflammation and muscle damage (myonecrosis) after intramuscular injection in mice. The organism strongly attracts polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PML) to the site of infection.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pathogenesis Studies
Background:
- Blastocystis hominis is a common intestinal parasite.
- Its pathogenic mechanisms, particularly outside the gut, remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathogenesis of Blastocystis hominis following intramuscular injection.
- To evaluate the host's inflammatory response to Blastocystis hominis infection in muscle tissue.
Main Methods:
- Intramuscular injection of axenic Blastocystis hominis isolate B into BALB/c mice.
- Histological examination of muscle tissue at various time points post-injection (6 hours to 2 weeks).
Main Results:
- Blastocystis hominis induced severe inflammatory reactions and myonecrosis in mouse muscle.
- Peak inflammatory changes and tissue damage were observed between 6 hours and 2-3 days post-injection.
- Muscle tissue histology returned to normal by 2 weeks.
- Significant infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PML) at the injection site was noted.
Conclusions:
- Blastocystis hominis possesses pathogenic potential capable of causing acute myonecrosis and inflammation when introduced into muscle tissue.
- The organism exhibits strong chemoattractant properties for PML, indicating a significant role in initiating the inflammatory response.