Immune response to Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi infection is reduced in malnourished BALB/c mice
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
;
105(6): 811-817, Sept. 2010. ilus, tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-560668
ABSTRACT
Protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies may down-regulate immune response and increase morbidity and mortality due to infection. In this study, a murine model was used to study the effects of protein, iron and zinc deficiencies on the immune response to Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi infection. Mice were initially fed a standard diet or with a diet containing 3 percent casein but deficient in zinc and iron. After malnutrition was established, mice were inoculated with L. chagasiand sacrificed four weeks later in order to evaluate liver and spleen parasite loads and serum biochemical parameters. Significant decreases in liver and spleen weight, an increase in the parasite loads in these organs and decreases in serum protein and glucose concentrations in malnourished animals were observed. Furthermore, the production of interferon-gamma by spleen cells from infected malnourished mice stimulated by Leishmaniaantigen was significantly lower compared with that in control diet mice. These data suggest that malnutrition alters the immune response to L. chagasiinfection in the BALB/c model and, in association with the effects on biochemical and anatomical parameters of the host, favored increases in the parasite loads in the spleens and livers of these animals.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Zinc
/
Protein-Energy Malnutrition
/
Leishmania infantum
/
Adaptive Immunity
/
Iron
/
Leishmaniasis, Visceral
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
/
Parasitology
Year:
2010
Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS