Abstract
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a parasite that has been identified as a cause of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. This study was performed to evaluate E. cuniculi infection in pharmacologically immunosuppressed mice. Mice were immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide (100mg/kg twice a week, IP) or cyclosporin (10mg/kg daily, IP) and inoculated with 107E. cuniculi spores IP. The E. cuniculi spores were cultivated in MDCK cells. E. cuniculi identification was performed by light microscopy studies using Gram-Chromotrope, Hematoxylin–Eosin and Toluidine blue–fuchsin staining techniques, as well as by PCR at 15, 30 and 45days post-inoculation (DPI). Cyclophosphamide-immunosuppressed mice have greatly reduced amounts of CD8+, CD4+ and CD3+ T cells and CD19+ B cells. The cells from these mice were analyzed by FACS and showed acute disseminated and fatal encephalitozoonosis. Mice treated with ciclosporin, which is both antiparasitic and immunosuppressive, have a milder, chronic, non-lethal infection and showed a significant reduction only in CD3+ and CD4+ T cell numbers. Our results support the role of CD8+ T cells in controlling infection by E. cuniculi and show that preventive measures are essential for preventing this zoonosis in individuals undergoing chemotherapy for cancer or other immunosuppressive therapies.
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