Histopathological Analysis of Selected Organs of Rats with Congenital Babesiosis Caused by Babesia microti

Abstract

Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease with an increasing number of cases each year. Due to the non-specific symptoms of babesiosis, insightful analyses of the pathogenesis of babesiosis are still very important. Transmission of the disease occurs in a few ways, which makes laboratory diagnosis of piroplasmosis important. Complications associated with the infection can be tragic, especially in patients with immunological disorders. The aim of this study was the histopathological analysis of the spleen and kidney of young Wistar rats infected transplacentally with Babesia microti. Female rats were infected with a reference strain of B. microti (ATCC 30221), and then, birth 3-week-old males were euthanized with isoflurane. Subsequently, the material was collected at autopsy for microscopic and ultrastructural examination. Microscopic and ultrastructural analysis of the spleen and kidney showed degenerative changes within the organ parenchyma and the capsules surrounding the organ. Regenerative and reparative changes through mitotic divisions of parenchymal cells were also evident. Merozoites of B. microti were visible in the section of erythrocytes and the cells building the organ stroma. The results presented in this study proved the negative effects of B. microti on cells and tissues in rats with congenital babesiosis.

Impact of ultrastructural and molecular identified babesiosoma spp. in both Egyptian freshwater fishes (common carp and African catfish): Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological findings

“…The histopathological changes described in Babesiosoma spp., infected fish corroborates the histological changes reported in other Babesia -infected species where the kidneys showed vacuolation and degeneration of renal epithelium and hyaline cylinders in the tubular lumen, the spleen exhibited the presence of aggregates melanomacrophages and depletion of the lymphoid elements ( Habela et al , 1991 ; El-diasty et al , 2017 ; Jasik et al , 2023 ). Pericarditis was described ( Habela et al , 1991 ) in Merino sheep experimentally infected by Babesia ovis and myocardial pathology is frequently reported in canine babesiosis ( Lobetti, 2005 ; Petra et al , 2018 ).…”

Histopathological Aspects of the Influence of Babesia microti on the Placentas of Infected Female Rats

“…However, the blood placentas of humans and the aforementioned rodents differ in the number of layers of trophoblast cells. A hemomonochorial placenta is typical for humans, while a hemotrichorial placenta is found in rats [ 23 , 24 ]. This variation implies a variation in the number of barriers to be overcome by potential pathogens of multiple mammalian species.…”

“…DP74 digital camera. Microphotographic documentation was obtained using the Olympus cellSens Standard software version 3 [ 23 ].…”

“…Both paraffin sections and semi-thin sections were analyzed using an Olympus BX60 light microscope equipped with an DP74 digital camera. Microphotographic documentation was obtained using the Olympus cellSens Standard software version 3 [23].…”