Pathogenesis of Trypanosoma equiperdum in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)
Moulton, J.E.; Coleman, J.L.; Thompson, P.S.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 35(7): 961-976
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 4210290 Document Number: 73269
Studies were made of chronic infection of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus gambelii) injected with Trypanosoma equiperdum (from 36 to 202 days after injection when the mice were killed). Lesions were found in many organs and tissues, particularly in the spleen, lymph nodes, kidney, heart, and brain. Microscopically, there were diffuse and perivascular infiltrations of mononuclear cells, especially plasma cells, and pronounced lymphoreticular hyperplasia of the spleen and lymph nodes. Proliferative glomerulonephritis with deposition of periodic acid-Schiff-positive straining material was found in the mesangial matrix and the capillary glomerular basement membrane in the kidneys of 40 deer mice (100%) experimentally infected for 36 to 202 days. In fluorescent antibody studies, complement T. equiperdum antigen, and fibrin were found in mesangial matrix and basement membranes of the glomeruli in significant amounts. The IgG was eluted from infected mouse kidneys in concentrations far exceeding those of non-infected (control) mouse kidneys. By electron microscopy, the deposits appeared linear, segmental, or granular and often as lumpy formations in the epithelial side and less often on the endothelial side of the basement membrane. The epithelial footplates overlying the lumpy deposits were fused and had increased cytoplasmic density. Serum concentrations of IgG and IgM, determined in 54 mice infected for periods of 4 to 141 days, were increased 529 and 405% respectively. Deer mice experimentally infected with trypanosomes had suppression of antibody response, measured as anti-sheep red blood cell immunoglobulin by the haemolytic plaque method. Immunosuppression appeared approximately 10 days after inoculation and remained at approximately 10% of the control value from 15 to 85 days after inoculation.