ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EXPERIMENTAL MURINE MODEL OF HEPATIC CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS

PENSEL, PATRICIA E; SCIOSCIA, NATHALIA; NIETO, NICOLÁS; ZOPPI, JORGE; ALBANI, CLARA M; ELISSONDO, MARÍA C.

Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Congreso; Reunión Conjunta de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica (SAIC), la Sociedad Argentina de Inmunología (SAI) y la Sociedad Argentina de Fisiología (SAFIS); 2018

SAIC

The search for therapeutic alternatives to optimize the treatment ofcystic echinococcosis (CE) is performed at two levels: in vitro on thelarval stage and in vivo in mice infected intraperitoneally with Echinoccocusgranulosus protoscoleces. In the current murine model ofCE, the cysts are located in the peritoneal cavity. Human CE is characterizedby cystic lesions in the liver. The aim of the present workwas to establish an experimental murine model of hepatic CE. CF-1mice were injected via the portal vein. We used two different concentrationsof protoscoleces [group A (n=9): 1000 protoscoleces/100 μLsaline and group B (n=8): 500 protoscoleces/100 μL saline]. Thediameter of cysts was periodically measured by ultrasound. Sevenmonths post-infection (p.i.), mice were euthanized and samplesof liver were taken for histopathological examination. During ultrasoundevaluation, cystic lesion could be detected 4 month p.i. After7 month, the infection rates of groups A and B were 44,54% (4/9)and 75% (6/8), respectively. These results coincided with the macroscopicexamination during the necropsy. Although the number anddiameter of cysts recovered from group B (3,83 ± 2,92 cysts; 5,28 ±4,39 g) were higher than those from group A (3 ± 1,41 cysts; 4,56 ±3,03 g), no significant differences were found (P > 0,05). Moreover,the development of cysts in the liver of mice did not show preferencefor any lobe. Histopathological studies revealed the typical featuresof E. granulosus metacestodes, surrounded by the adventitial layerwith chronic inflammation and histiocytic reaction. We establishedan experimental model of hepatic CE. This model will be useful forpharmacokinetic and efficacy studies of drugs in mice infected withcysts located in the orthotopic and primary infection organ.