Hepatobiliary changes, antibody response, and alteration of liver enzymes in hamsters re-infected with Opisthorchis viverrini

Exp Parasitol. 2004 Sep-Oct;108(1-2):32-9. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2004.07.007.

Abstract

We investigated pathological changes, antibody response, and liver enzymes in hamsters re-infected with Opisthorchis viverrini. Group 1 received a single dose of 50 metacercariae; Groups 2 and 3 were first dosed with of 30 metacercariae and re-infected with 20 more once or twice at three month intervals. Inflammation and liver cell necrosis were observed on 3D (day 3) for Group 3 and 7D for Group 2 in comparison with 21D for Group 1. Pathological changes included peri-ductal fibrosis, bile duct dilation, and small bile duct formation. Increased O. viverrini-specific IgG levels ranked in the order Group 3>Group 2>Group 1. Liver enzyme activity was related to inflammatory cell infiltration. Re-infection induced faster inflammation and more severe pathological changes in association with parasite-specific antibody during chronic inflammation. This study emphasizes that there is an important relationship between the gradual decreases of inflammation with a concomitant increase in fibrosis after re-infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / biosynthesis*
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / metabolism
  • Cricetinae
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Liver / enzymology*
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mesocricetus
  • Opisthorchiasis / enzymology
  • Opisthorchiasis / immunology
  • Opisthorchiasis / pathology*
  • Opisthorchis / immunology
  • Opisthorchis / pathogenicity*
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Recurrence
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase