ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EXPERIMENTAL MURINE MODEL OF HEPATIC CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS

PENSEL PATRICIA; NATHALIA SCIOSCIA; NIETO NICOLÁS; ZOPPI JORGE; ALBANI CLARA; ELISSONDO CELINA

Congreso; Reunión conjunta SAIC SAI SAFE 2018; 2018

The search for therapeutic alternatives to optimize the treatment of cystic echinococcosis (CE) is performed at two levels: in vitro on the larval stage and in vivo in mice infected intraperitoneally with Echinoccocus granulosus protoscoleces. In the current murine model of CE, the cysts are located in the peritoneal cavity. Human CE is characterized by cystic lesions in the liver. The aim of the present work was to establish an experimental murine model of hepatic CE. CF-1 mice were injected via the portal vein. We used two different concentrations of protoscoleces [group A (n=9): 1000 protoscoleces/100 μL saline and group B (n=8): 500 protoscoleces/100 μL saline]. The diameter of cysts was periodically measured by ultrasound. Seven months post-infection (p.i.), mice were euthanized and samples of liver were taken for histopathological examination. During ultrasound evaluation, cystic lesion could be detected 4 month p.i. After 7 month, the infection rates of groups A and B were 44,54% (4/9) and 75% (6/8), respectively. These results coincided with the macroscopic examination during the necropsy. Although the number and diameter 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 the mice did not show preference for any lobe. Histopathological studies revealed the typical features of E. granulosus metacestodes, surrounded by the adventitial layer with chronic inflammation and histiocytic reaction. We established an experimental model of hepatic CE. This model will be useful for pharmacokinetic and efficacy studies of drugs in mice infected with cysts located in the orthotopic and primary infection organ.