Influence of apoptosis on liver and spleen resistance in dogs with visceral leishmaniosis

Author(s)

Reina Moreira, Pamela Rodrigues ; Franciscato, Douglas Augusto ; Rossit, Sabrina Micelli ; Munari, Danisio Prado ; Vasconcelos, Rosemeri de Oliveira

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA; v. 25, n. 3, p. 7-pg., 2016-07-01.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate apoptosis and parasite load in the liver and spleen of dogs with visceral leishmaniosis (VL), using immunohistochemistry. Liver and spleen samples from 71 dogs with VL were used. The parasite load in the spleen and liver showed significant difference between organs in infected group (P=0.0219). The density of the parasite load in the spleen (median=2.4) was higher than liver (median=0.8). Immunodetection of apoptotic cells was predominant in lymphocytes and differ between the infected and control group in spleen (P=0.0307) and liver (P=0.0346). There was a significant correlation between apoptosis and parasite load (P=0.0084; r=0.3104) only in the spleen of the infected group, where it was observed that, when increasing the number of apoptotic cells increases the parasitic load. It was concluded that the liver and spleen of infected dogs presented greater numbers of cells undergoing apoptosis (lymphocytes) than the control group, thus suggesting that this process may be contributing towards the survival of Leishmania in these organs, because lymphocyte in apoptosis did not have the ability to present and recognize the antigen, allowing the survival of the parasite. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/15736-7 - Hepatic natural killer cells (PIT) action in liver of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis
• Grantee: Pamela Rodrigues Reina Moreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 08/03504-1 - Hepatic morphological alterations analysis in infected dogs with leishmaniasis visceral in Araçatuba, SP
• Grantee: Douglas Augusto Franciscato
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 09/07815-4 - MIF, iNOS and MHC class II expression in macrophages of lymph nodes of the dogs with visceral leishmaniasis
• Grantee: Rosemeri de Oliveira Vasconcelos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants