Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology , SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Biotechnology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
3
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
10.22092/ari.2025.370909.3882
Abstract
Many Trichosomoides crassicauda is a nematode residing in the bladder of laboratory and wild rats. This study was conducted to investigate the experimental lesions caused by this nematode in the bladder wall. Ten male Wistar rats, each with an average weight of 250 grams, were used for this study. The rats were divided into two groups: five were infected with T. crassicauda eggs, while the other five were left uninfected. Both groups were observed for 60 days following the egg inoculation. After this period, a necropsy was conducted to examine the bladder and liver for any gross lesions. Tissue samples, measuring 5 mm thick, were collected from the bladder and liver and preserved in 10% buffered formaldehyde. Additionally, the bladder samples were analyzed for the expression of genes associated with the cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, IL-4, IFN-γ, and IL-5. Hyperemia and catarrhal exudate were detected in the bladder mucosa of the infected group, but they did not cause any visible urolith or tumoral lesions. Microscopically, worms were observed within the hyperplastic epithelium. Transitional epithelial cell hyperplasia with edema and an influx of small to moderate mononuclear leukocytes, mainly of the lymphoid lineage. In the infected group, the expression of the inflammatory-immune genes TNFα, IL1β, IL-4, IL-5 and IFNƔ was increased compared to the sham group. The IL-4/IFNƔ ratio was increased. The T. crassicauda caused minor tissue changes accompanied by significant expression of inflammatory cytokines related to Th2 dominance, and cellular immunity (IFNƔ) probably does not play a role in the immune response in rats infected with T. crassicauda.
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