Extracellular matrix degradation in parasitic diseases

RESUMO

Fibrosis is an important manifestation of several parasitic diseases, but is not irreversible. A marked degree of extracellular matrix degradation can occur after cure of parasitism. Patients with the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis undergo considerable resorption of portal fibrosis monts or years after curative treatment as demonstrated by ultrasonography and pathological exmaination. 2. Studies of the post-treatment degradation of extracellular matrix in schistosomal periocular granulomas have demosntrated two forms of collagen degradation in hepatic granulomas formed during early infection a rapid process occurs, with extracellular breakdown of fibers and internalization of collagen fragments, whereas during late infection, degradation in slow and is accompanied by focal electrondense and/or lytic changes. 3. Extensive extracellular matrix degradation and resorption occuring after curative treatment was recently described in the liver of a man with advanced visceral leishmaniasis and in the heart of mice with chronic Chagas' disease