Cells morphologically resembling strenberg-Reed cells in the lymph nodes of methotrexate treated schistosoma mansoni infected mice

ABSTRACT

Cells morphologically resembling Sternberg-Reed cells were identified in the mesenteric lymph nodes of mice, 12 weeks after infection with Schistosoma mansoni cercariae, and treated with methotrexate, an immunosuppressive agent. The presence of these cells was associated with augmented stimulation of the cortical B-lymphocytes [humoral immunity] and suppression of the paracortical T-lymphocytes [cell mediated immunity]. The present observations help to throw more light on the mechanisms involved in the evolution of Sternberg-Reed cells, and bear a warning to pathologists dealing with lymph node biopsies obtained from patients from areas where bilharziasis is endemic as they should be very cautious in diagnosing Hodgkin's disease when they encounter cells resembling Sternberg-Reed cells