[Experimental observation on anaphylaxis induced by Echinococcus infection in Meriones unguiculatus]

Abstract

Objective: To observe the anaphylaxis induced by Echinococcus granulosus or E. multilocularis (E. g. and E. m.) infection in Meriones unguiculatus.

Methods: 56 and 48 gerbils were intraperitoneally inoculated with E. g. protoscoleces and E. m. tissue homogenate. After three months, the anaphylactic responses initiated by intraperitoneal challenge injection with E. g. cystic fluids or partially purified antigen or E. m. metacestode homogenate antigen were observed. IgE antibody and direct eosinophilic leukocyte count (DELC) were detected at pre-postchallenge.

Results: The infection rates for E. g and E. m. in 56 and 48 gerbils were 89.3% and 97.9%, respectively. Among these groups, the lowest rate of anaphylaxis was 62.5%, the highest was 100%. The lowest rate of anaphylactic shock was 12.5%, and the highest 16.7%. After the gerbis were infected with E. g. and E. m., both IgE antibody and DELC increased gradually. At 60 min post challenge, IgE antibody level were significantly decreased, while DELC showed a sharp increase.

Conclusion: Anaphylaxis could be induced in gerbils by Echinococcus infection followed by a challenge injection. Different antigens lead to different and degrees among the anaphylactic responses in the gerbils, however, there were no significant differences between E. g. and E. m. infections in gerbils.