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Schistosoma mansoni: morphology and ultrastructure of adult worms recovered from cyclosporin A-treated mice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

G. H. Munro  and
D. J. McLaren
G. H. Munro
Affiliation:
Division of Parasitology, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA
D. J. McLaren
Affiliation:
Division of Parasitology, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA
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Summary

Cyclosporin A administered to Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice at around day 20 of infection reduces the worm burden by > 60%, as assessed by portal perfusion on days 28 and 86. Those worms recovered at perfusion have been examined by light and electron microscopy for drug-induced changes in morphology. Gross parasite damage was characterized by massive bolus formation and subsequent herniation of the gut. This event was attributed to the abnormal accumulation of crystalline structures in the lumen; the crystals were closely associated with lipid droplets, and were shown by X-ray micro-analysis to contain iron. Such crystals were seen only rarely in the intestines of control worms, but they too gave small iron peaks when examined by X-ray micro-analysis. In some drug-treated worms the caecal epithelium had ruptured, thereby releasing luminal contents throughout the worm body. In addition, herniations of the gut were seen protruding through the tegument causing surface deformation and disruption of tegumental and parenchymal tissues. The structural integrity of the worm was ultimately compromised allowing access to cytotoxic effector cells of the host. The combined effects of drug action and cellular cytotoxicity presumably account for the very significant levels of worm killing achieved by CsA treatment of the host.

Keywords

Schistosoma mansonicyclosporin AchemotherapymicroscopyultrastructureX-ray micro-analysis
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 100 , Issue 1 , February 1990 , pp. 19 - 28
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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