Korean J Parasitol.  2000 Sep;38(3):139-143. 10.3347/kjp.2000.38.3.139.

Mucosal mast cell responses in the small intestine of rats infected with Echinostoma hortense

• Kim I
• Im JA
• Lee KJ
• Ryang YS

• KMID: 1720315
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2000.38.3.139

Abstract

Mucosal mast cell (MMC) responses and worm recovery rates in rats infected with Echinostoma hortense were investigated from day 3 to day 56 post-infection (p.i.). Experimental infected group showed apparently higher number of MMC in each part of the small intestine than that of the control group. The number of MMC in the duodenum increased gradually after the infection and reached a peak on day 35 p.i. Thereafter, the number of MMC continued to decrease at a slow pace. The kinetics of MMC responses in the upper and lower jejunum were similar to that of the duodenum, but the number of MMC in the jejunum was lower. The worm recovery rate decreased with respect to time of which it was markedly reduced on day 49 and 56 p.i. The duration in which a high number of MMC appeared was similar to that in which a low rate in worm recovery was recorded. These results indicate that intestinal mastocytosis may play an important role in the expulsion of E. hortense.

MeSH Terms

Animal
Cell Count
Duodenum/parasitology
Duodenum/cytology
Echinostoma/isolation & purification
Echinostomiasis/parasitology
Echinostomiasis/immunology*
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/immunology*
Intestinal Mucosa/cytology*
Jejunum/parasitology
Jejunum/cytology
Mast Cells/immunology*
Mast Cells/cytology
Phagocytosis*
Rats
Rats, Wistar