Role of secretory excretory products of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in modulating hepatic morbidity

ABSTRACT

In the present study the possible anti-morbidity effect of secretory excretory products [SEP] of Schistoma mansoni eggs [given to mice before infection] was investigated. Multiple small doses of SEP were injected intra-peritoneally into albino mice [100 micro g of purified SEP followed 2 weeks later by two booster doses of 50 micro g each at weekly intervals]. Data revealed reduction in CD4+ cells and increase in CD8+ cells of hepatic granuloma in SEP-immunized infected group, resulting in significant decrease in CD4+/CD8+ ratio, in comparison to infected control group. The serum cytokine level of both TNF--alpha and IFN-gamma were also significantly decreased. Histopathological examination of liver revealed remarkable increase in degenerated ova within hepatic granuloma which decreased in diameter [12%]. Significant reduction in worm burden [46%] and tissue egg loads [42.8% and 50% for hepatic and intestinal ova respectively] were observed. Mean while decreased percent of immature stages with increase in percent of dead ova in Oogram pattern was recorded. This work may help in decrease the severity of hepatic morbidity