Lymphoid organ alterations enhanced by sub-lethal doses of coronaviruses in experimentally induced Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice
Verinaud, L.; Camargo, I.J.; Vassallo, J.; Sakurada, J.K.; Rangel, H.A.
Laboratory Animal Science 49(1): 35-41
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-6764 PMID: 10090092 Document Number: 498696
The effect of sub-lethal doses of coronaviruses on the course of disease in CBA mice experimentally infected with a mildly pathogenic strain of T. cruzi was investigated. Groups of 25 mice were inoculated with either 105 trypomastigotes of T. cruzi, 0.1 median lethal dose (LD50) of coronavirus (mouse hepatitis virus or virus X), or both pathogens. Levels of parasitaemia, mortality, and the extent of pathological alterations in lymphoid organs were determined. Mice inoculated with T. cruzi had mild alterations in their lymphoid organs and survived infection. In contrast, mice inoculated with both pathogens died, and had significantly higher levels of parasitaemia and profound alterations in lymphoid organs. It is concluded that the pathological profile of T. cruzi infection can be altered by subclinical infection with coronaviruses.