Characterization of cysts development in an experimental murine model of hepatic cystic echinococcosis

PENSEL, PATRICIA EUGENIA; SCIOCIA NATHALIA; NIETO NICOLÁS; ZOPPI JORGE; IBARRA SOFIA; FABBRI JULIA; ALBANI CLARA MARÍA; CHAPARRO MAURO; ELISSONDO MARIA CELINA

Lima

Congreso; 28th World Congress on Echinococcosis; 2019

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. The disease is characterized by long term growth of cysts most commonly in the liver and lungs. Animal models play an important role in the study for novel drugs, surgical approaches, and vaccine development. We have recently established an experimental murine model of hepatic CE. The aim of the present work was to characterize the development of cysts over time in CF-1 mice infected with E. granulosus protoscoleces via the portal vein. Female mice (n=36) infected with 500 protoescoleces were allocated into four groups: A) 4 months post infection (p.i.); B) 5 months p.i.; C) 6 months p.i.; D) 7 months p.i. The cystic development was monitored by ultrasound, then mice were euthanized and samples of liver and lung were taken for histopathological examinations. An increase in the infection rate was observed over time, reaching 70% of infected mice at 7 months p.i. According to the ultrasonographic features, more than 90% of the cysts detected were active. Although there was an increase in the number and size of cysts developed in relation to the time of infection, no significant differences were found between the groups (P>0,05). The development of cysts in the liver did not show preference for any lobe. Interestingly, between 10-30% of the animals belonging to groups B, C and D presented cysts in the lung. The murine model of hepatic CE presents similar characteristics to the disease in humans: the route of infection, the development of cysts in the orthotopic and primary infection organ, the parasites can cross the liver filter and infect the lung and the histopathologic features of the cystic lesion. This model could be useful for the study of host-parasite interactions as well as drug efficacy trials.