|
Histopathological and
Immune-Pathological Changes in the Prostates of Golden Hamsters
Experimentally Infected With Schistosoma Mansoni
Fetouh A. Deyab1, Sherif El-Saadany 2 and
Mohamed M. Shareef 3
Departments of Parasitology1, Tropical Medicine2
& Pathology3, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University,
Egypt.
Tanta Med. Sc. J 2007; 2(3):120-128
Article type: Original article
Aim: This work has been planned to study the
histopathological and immune-pathological changes in the prostates
of golden hamsters experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni.
Material & Methods: Fifty male golden hamsters, 10 weeks old,
200-250 gm in weight each and free from parasitic infections were
used. They were classified into two groups. Group (1) 40 male golden
hamsters infected with 350 S. mansoni cercariae S.C. each. Group (2)
10 male golden hamsters (control). Viable S. mansoni eggs were
collected, washed and egg hatching was performed. Biomphalaria
alexandrina snails were infected by 6 – 8 miracidia each. The
released cercariae were collected, concentrated and counted so as to
contain 350 cercariae / 0.5 ml. (the infective dose / hamster S.
C.). Five infected hamsters were killed 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and
20 weeks p. i. Control animals were sacrificed at once. The
prostate- glands of the infected and control male hamsters were
dissected; fixed in 10 % phosphate buffered formalin. Microscopic
examination was conducted on 4 µm thick H. & E. stained sections
from paraffin embedded specimens. Immunohistochemical detection of
hamster's schistosomal antigen in prostatic sections was performed
by DAKO Avidin-biotin peroxidase technique. Other portions of the
prostates were digested in 5% KOH for detection of S. mansoni eggs.
Results: The results of this work showed that there were diffuse,
non granulomatous inflammatory reaction starting at 12th week p.i.
and reaching maximum intensity at 16th week p.i. The epithelial
linings of the prostatic acini showed hyperplasia, enfolding and
lymphocytic cell infiltration. Stromal fibrosis started at 18th week
p.i. in 10 (25%) infected hamsters. Immunohistochemical examination
showed mild deposits at 12th week p.i., moderate deposits at 14th
week p.i. and intense deposits at 16th week p.i. KOH digestion of
prostatic pieces showed no S. mansoni ova at any period p. i.
Conclusion: S. mansoni infection could involve the prostate gland by
variable degrees of inflammation and fibrosis. These inflammatory
reactions may be due to antigen deposition in the organ. The
inflammation and fibrosis may interfere with the normal function of
the prostatic gland leading to alteration of the chemical
composition of the seminal fluid which may decrease the fertility
capacity of the sperms. Also, prostatic hypertrophy may lead to
problems in the erection and urinary tract obstruction.
|