Modulation of malaria-induced immunopathology by concurrent gastrointestinal nematode infection in mice

Int J Parasitol. 2009 Dec;39(14):1525-32. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2009.08.007. Epub 2009 Aug 27.

Abstract

We investigated malaria-associated pathology in mice co-infected with Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Hp) and Plasmodium chabaudi AS (Pc). Despite higher peak parasitemia, co-infected wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice displayed similar body weight losses, malarial anaemia, and tissue damage but less severe hypothermia and hypoglycaemia, and earlier reticulocytosis than Pc-infected WT mice. Co-infected STAT6(-/-) mice, deficient in nematode-induced Th2 responses, experienced similar peak parasitemias and generally suffered malaria-associated pathology to a similar degree as co-infected WT mice. These data indicate a complex relationship amongst helminths, malaria and host immune responses resulting in modulation of some but not all aspects of malaria-associated pathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Malaria / complications
  • Malaria / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nematospiroides dubius / pathogenicity*
  • Parasitemia / complications*
  • Parasitemia / immunology
  • Plasmodium chabaudi / pathogenicity*
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / immunology
  • Strongylida Infections / complications*
  • Strongylida Infections / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Stat6 protein, mouse