Parasitological and morphological study of Schistosoma mansoni and diabetes mellitus in mice

Abstract

Schistosomes are blood-dwelling flukes which are highly dependent on the host metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate possible relationship between streptozotocin-induced diabetes and the outcome of acute murine schistosomiasis mansoni. Male and female SW mice were treated by a single intraperitoneally injected dose of streptozotocin (180 mg/kg). Seven days after induction, both control and diabetic animals were infected with 70 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae (BH strain). Diabetics and their controls were weighed 45 days after birth and for the last time prior to killing. Susceptibility to infection was evaluated twice a week by quantifying fecal egg excretion 7-9 weeks post-infection by the Kato-Katz' thick smear method. Mice were euthanized the day after the last fecal examination was performed. Adult worms were recovered from the portal system and mesenteric veins, whereas liver and intestine were removed for enumeration of egg load. No differences in worm length or in measurements of the reproductive organs, tegument, and suckers were detected. Also oviposition was unaffected as the total number of eggs per female worm from the liver, the small and the large intestine was the same in both groups. An oogram evaluation revealed a lower percentage of mature (23.0% vs. 40.7%) and a higher percentage of immature (69.1% vs. 51.7%) eggs in the small intestine of the diabetic mice. We suggest that principally a hampered egg passage through the intestine tissue caused this reduction and that probably both the eggs and the impaired host response play a role.

Co-occurrence of opisthorchiasis and diabetes exacerbates morbidity of the hepatobiliary tract disease

“…Among its diverse sequelae, DM increases risk for bacterial and fungal infections [ 14 ]. The influence of concurrent infection with helminth parasites during DM remains controversial [ 15 , 16 ]. Deciphering the underlying mechanisms of the interactions between infection with helminths and DM will enhance our understanding of the consequences of comorbidity of diabetes during infection [ 17 ].…”

The global diabetes epidemic: what does it mean for infectious diseases in tropical countries?

“…85 Schistosomiasis or bilharzia, a helminth infection transmitted by freshwater snails, might also protect against diabetes. In mice, exposure to schistosomal egg antigen reduces the risk of insulin-dependent diabetes, possibly through induction of adipose tissue M2 macrophages and expansion of regulatory T cells, [87][88][89][90] both of which might provide a protective effect against diabetes. In a large cross-sectional study in China (n=9359), previous schistosomal infection was 50% less common among people with diabetes than in people without diabetes.…”

Bevacizumab as a potential anti‐angiogenic therapy in schistosomiasis: A double‐edged, but adjustable weapon

“…Worms were left to sediment for 20 minutes in a small Petri dish before counting 25 . The viscera (the mesenteric plexus and the intestine) and half of the liver (after weighing it) were washed and processed for worms and eggs recovery by dissolving in 4% KOH as described by Hulstijn et al (2011) and Smith et al (2012) to assess the parasitic tissue burden 26,27 The degree of protection …”