Effect of schistosoma mansoni infection on non-granulomatous areas of mouse intestine

ABSTRACT

The effect of chronic mild experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni on the structure of non-granulomatous areas in jejunum and transverse colon of the mouse was examined. The infected animals were sacrificed 10 weeks after infection with their control group. Tissues were processed for paraffin slides. Different stains were used Hx and E, PAS for neutral mucus, Alcian blue for acid mucus, Masson trichrome for fibrous tissue, toluidine blue for mast cell, and Bodian technique for entero-chromaffin cells. Jejunum of infected animals showed normal appearance of villi. All the changes were noticed in the bases of intestinal glands. It demonstrated vacuolization and distorted appearance with accompanying increase in paneth cells granules. Goblet cells showed increase in number and secretions. Mast cells were increased in the mucosa and submucosa. Transverse colon of infected animals demonstrated increased height of the intestinal crypts. Patchy cellular infiltrations were seen among the crypts distorting their shapes. Neutral mucus and acid mucus in goblet cells of the upper portion of the gland were increased. The basal portion of the gland demonstrated more decrease in neutral mucus than acid mucus. In conclusion, chronic mild intestinal schistomiasis affected non-granulomatous areas by increased cellular activity of lining epithelial cells especially goblet cells. It stimulated local defense mechanism represented by paneth cells and mast cells