Immune complex nephritis in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice

Swiss outbred mice infected with 80-100 cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni developed in 60% of the cases a wide range of glomerular lesions involving mainly the mesangium. The lesions were associated with the presence of granular deposits of murine immunoglobulins and C3, suggesting an immune complex mechanism. In addition, nephritic glomeruli in about 20% of the cases could be stained by a specific rabbit antischistosoma serum after removal of excess host immunoglobulins. The presence of circulating immune complexes in the serum of infected animals was suggested by the increased molecular weight of circulating C3. The onset of the immunopathologic lesions appeared to be related to duration, intensity and type of infection. Single-sex parasite infection, in fact, led to significant reduction of glomerular lesions.