Brain schistosomiasis in mice experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2014 Mar-Apr;47(2):251-3. Epub 2014 Feb 12.

Abstract

Introduction: Human neuroschistosomiasis has been reported in the literature, but the possibility of modeling neuroschistosomiasis in mice is controversial.

Methods: In two research laboratories in Brazil that maintain the Schistosoma mansoni life cycle in rodents, two mice developed signs of brain disease (hemiplegia and spinning), and both were autopsied.

Results: S. mansoni eggs, both with and without granuloma formation, were observed in the brain and meninges of both mice by optical microscopy.

Conclusions: This is the first description of eggs in the brains of symptomatic mice that were experimentally infected with S. mansoni. An investigation of experimental neuroschistosomiasis is now feasible.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Diseases / parasitology*
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neuroschistosomiasis / parasitology*
  • Neuroschistosomiasis / pathology
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Schistosoma mansoni*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / parasitology*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / pathology