Improved experimental model of hepatic cystic hydatid disease resembling natural infection route with stable growing dynamics and immune reaction

Abstract

AIMTo investigate a safer way to set up the disease model of cystic echinococcosis without contamination risk and develop a novel experimental murine model of hepatic cystic echinococcosis.METHODSC57B/6 mice were injected with human protoscolices of three different concentrations via the portal vein. The mice were followed for 10 mo by ultrasound, gross anatomy, and pathological and immunological examinations. The protoscolex migration in the portal vein, hydatid cyst growth, host immune reaction, and hepatic histopathology were examined periodically.RESULTSThe infection rates in the mice in the high, medium, and low concentration groups were 90%, 100%, and 63.6%, respectively. The protoscolices migrated in the portal vein with blood flow, settled in the liver, and developed into orthotopic hepatic hydatid cysts, resembling the natural infection route and course.CONCLUSIONWe have established an improved experimental model of hepatic cystic echinococcosis with low biohazard risk but stable growing dynamics and immune reaction. It is especially useful for new anti-parasite medication trials against hydatid disease.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC): A tool of cell therapy in hydatid experimentally infected rats

“…Kodama et al [39] also reported the appearance of cysts and central necrosis with granulation, fibrosis, and calcification which were the main constituents of liver hydatid cyst in human. These results also were confirmed previously in mice animal model [25] who recorded that the protoscolices migrated through blood flow to the portal vein to settled in the liver and developed into hepatic hydatid cysts, similar to the route and course of the natural infection. The rats’ liver also showed protective immune reactions, such as mononuclear cells infiltration and fibrosis capsules.…”

“…Rats treated with BM-MSC following ABZ administration showed approximately normal size and appearance of the livers with the absence of white nodules at the 4th Wk PT. Spleenomegaly was shown in infected untreated and in ABZ treated rats at 4th Wk that reflected protoscolex immune reaction [25]. However, transplantation of BM-MSC following ABZ administration resulted in normal appearance and size of spleen of rats at 4th Wk PT.…”

“…It was confirmed in patients with high risk for surgery, multiple peritoneal cysts, cysts in multiple organs to avoid secondary hydatidosis after surgical discharge [41]. In addition, dead protoscolices resulted in focal degeneration and necrosis; and the liver responded by a dilatation of central veins [25]. At a time, nearly normal appearance of the liver of rat at the 4th Wk PT of BM-MSC following ABZ administration was observed with lymphocytic infiltrates in portal area without steatosis or necrosis.…”

“…Hydatid cyst fluid was aseptically aspirated from freshly collected hydatid cysts for experimental infection in rats [25]. The aspirated fluid was left to settle the protoscolices for 30 min.…”

“…The fixed specimens were undergone in the ordinary processing before embedding in paraffin wax. Thin sections were performed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) [25].…”