Abstract
In this study we explored the rabbit as an animal model for the congenital infection of schistosomiasis japonica and assessed the effect of a congenital S. japonicum infection on the resistance of rabbit kittens to a postnatal challenge infection. Kittens were challenged 17-19 weeks after the primary infection of their mothers. Perfusion was undertaken six weeks after the challenge. At this time parasitological, pathological and immunological parameters, worm reduction rate, granuloma size reduction rate, egg reduction rate, IgG and IgM responses were assessed and compared to that of kittens born to un-infected mothers. The overall prevalence of congenital infection in kittens of infected mothers was 20% (12/60). After a postnatal challenge infection, prenatally infected kittens had a 54.66% worm reduction rate, 41.45% egg reduction rate, and 51.76% granuloma size reduction rate compared to naive kittens. Congenital infection decreases the IgM responses by 39.47% while it increases the IgG responses by 56.22%. Together, these results indicate that congenital infection induce long-term effects on pathology and immune response patterns in rabbits’ subsequently challenge with S. japonicum cercariae.
Highlights
Schistosomiasis japonica, the causative organism for schistosomiasis, is solely prevalent in Southeast Asia where an estimated two million people are infected and 69 - 75 million individuals are at risk of infection
When active or acute infections coincide with pregnancy, the conditions exist for the possible transplacental passage of the parasite to the developing fetus. This mode of schistosome transmission is known as vertical transmission that leads to congenital infection of the fetus and has been reported by many researchers in a wide range of animals such as mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, goats, water buffaloes and cattle [1]-[6]
The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a congenital S. japonicum infection on the resistance of rabbit kittens to a postnatal challenge infection
Summary
Schistosomiasis japonica, the causative organism for schistosomiasis, is solely prevalent in Southeast Asia where an estimated two million people are infected and 69 - 75 million individuals are at risk of infection. Salim unique among the major schistosomes infecting humans, as zoonotic transmission is important, with domesticated and wild animals serving as reservoir hosts of the parasite, and an amphibious snail as intermediate host. When active or acute infections coincide with pregnancy, the conditions exist for the possible transplacental passage of the parasite (schistosomulae) to the developing fetus. This mode of schistosome transmission is known as vertical transmission that leads to congenital infection of the fetus and has been reported by many researchers in a wide range of animals such as mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, goats, water buffaloes and cattle [1]-[6]
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