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Acta Parasitologica, Vol.46, No. 4, 2001, 313-320
Hrckova Gabriela*, Velebny Samuel, Tomasovicova Ol'ga, Medved'ova Maria, Pajersky Anton - Pathomorphological changes in mice infected with Toxocara cati following administration of fenbendazole and glucan.

Parasitological Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Kosice, Slovak Republic
*Corresponding author: Tel.: 00-421-55-63 24455, Fax: 00-421-55-63 31414, E-mail: hrcka@saske.sk
ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to investigate the macroscopical and microscopical changes in the lungs, liver, brain and kidney of inbred mice, strain C 57 BL 6 after infection with 1000 eggs of Toxocara cati. The very small numbers of larvae were found in the liver, lungs, brain and kidney within the examined period (87 days) in contrast to muscles where accumulation of larvae took place gradually. Effects of administration of fenbendazole alone, or in combination with glucan in solution, or glucan incorporated into liposomes, were evaluated from the numbers of living larvae recovered in the brain, muscles and lungs of mice and also on the basis of histopathological changes in these organs. Small numbers of larvae were found in the liver, lungs and brain of the untreated mice up to day 6 pi. And, from this time, larvae started to accumulate in the muscles. In spite of this, extensive haemorrhages were seen on the surface and inside of the livers and lungs. Lymphocytes were the dominant cell type in the inflammatory lesions around the larvae and blood vessels. No inflammatory reactions were seen in the brain around the larvae, except of the surface haemorrhages. Treatment resulted in the reduction of larvae with the highest effect being found after co-administration of fenbendazole and liposomized glucan. Treatment did not modify migration behaviour of the larvae, the majority of which appeared to be dead or dying in the lungs and livers. The inflammatory reactions in these tissues were more intense and appeared earlier in the groups treated with fenbendazole and glucan than in untreated mice.


KEY WORDS: Toxacara cati, distribution of larvae, fenbendazole, glucan, mice, histopathology
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