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Infection with Schistosoma mansoni in mice induces changes in nociception and exploratory behavior
Abstract:
In this study, CD-1 mice were infected percutaneously with 1600 cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni and their pain sensitivity and exploratory behavior were analyzed in well-standardized tests (hot-plate, hole-board, open-field, novel object investigation and black/white box). Schistosome infection produced body weight reduction, increased analgesia, induced changes in the number of fecal pellets emitted during the hole-board and the black/white tests, induced decreased locomotion in the open-field, decreased sniffing, rearing, wall-rearing and time spent in exploratory activity. The infection also lengthened the latency time to the first transition from the white into the black compartment in the black/white box, index of enhanced anxiety. The present findings indicate that the analgesia is one of the main effects of the disease suggesting that schistosome infection induces maladaptive response in exploratory behavior and in locomotor activity of the host associated with altered motivational and attentional levels. Furthermore, though mouse behavioral changes appear to be similar to those observed in parasite/host systems where the changes are supposed to be adaptive for the parasite, in the case of Schistosoma/mouse system, the changes in host behavior resulted to be not adaptive for the parasite.
Insights
Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice caused reduced body weight and increased pain relief (analgesia). Behavioral changes, including decreased activity and increased anxiety, were observed, suggesting maladaptive host responses.
Area of Science:
- * Parasitology
- * Neuroscience
- * Behavioral Science
Background:
- * Schistosomiasis is a significant human parasitic disease.
- * Understanding host-parasite interactions is crucial for disease management.
- * Parasitic infections can alter host behavior and physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the effects of Schistosoma mansoni infection on mouse behavior.
- * To analyze changes in pain sensitivity and exploratory activities.
- * To determine if observed behavioral changes are adaptive for the parasite.
Main Methods:
- * CD-1 mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni cercariae.
- * Standardized behavioral tests: hot-plate, hole-board, open-field, novel object investigation, black/white box.
- * Analysis of body weight, pain sensitivity, locomotion, and anxiety-related behaviors.
Main Results:
- * Infection led to body weight reduction and increased analgesia.
- * Decreased locomotion, exploratory activity, and altered fecal pellet counts were observed.
- * Increased latency in the black/white box indicated enhanced anxiety.
Conclusions:
- * Schistosoma mansoni infection induces analgesia and maladaptive behavioral changes in mice.
- * Host behavioral alterations affect motivational and attentional levels.
- * Observed behavioral changes in this host-parasite system are not adaptive for the parasite.