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Histopathological changes in the liver and stomach of Didelphis virginiana (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) during natural infection with Gnathostoma turgidum (Nematoda: Gnathostomidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 November 2017

E.H. Torres-Montoya ,
J.M. Zazueta-Moreno ,
L.U. Osuna-Martínez ,
H. Castillo-Ureta ,
G. Silva-Hidalgo ,
H.S. López-Moreno ,
I. Osuna-Ramírez ,
E. Noguera-Corona  and
J.G. Rendón-Maldonado
E.H. Torres-Montoya
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Conservación de la Fauna Silvestre, Escuela de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. de las Américas y Blvd, Universitarios S/N, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80010, México
J.M. Zazueta-Moreno
Affiliation:
Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. de las Américas y Blvd, Universitarios S/N, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80010, México
L.U. Osuna-Martínez
Affiliation:
Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. de las Américas y Blvd, Universitarios S/N, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80010, México
H. Castillo-Ureta
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Escuela de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. de las Américas y Blvd, Universitarios S/N, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80010, México
G. Silva-Hidalgo
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Patología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Blvd San Ángel S/N, Fracc. San Benito, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80246, México
H.S. López-Moreno
Affiliation:
Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. de las Américas y Blvd, Universitarios S/N, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80010, México
I. Osuna-Ramírez
Affiliation:
Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. de las Américas y Blvd, Universitarios S/N, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80010, México
E. Noguera-Corona
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. Eustaquio Buelna S/N, Tierra Blanca, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80030, México
J.G. Rendón-Maldonado*
Affiliation:
Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. de las Américas y Blvd, Universitarios S/N, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80010, México
*
Author for correspondence: J.G. Rendón-Maldonado, Fax: 526677520460 E-mail: jgrendonm@uas.edu.mx
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Abstract

Gnathostoma turgidum is a nematode parasite that exploits the stomach of Virginian opossums, Didelphis virginiana, in Latin America. The opossum is the definitive host of G. turgidum in the wild. Intrahepatic growth and maturation of the parasite, subsequent migration to the stomach and spontaneous expulsion are common. However, the histopathological lesions caused by G. turgidum are poorly described. A better understanding of the life cycle of this parasite and the pathological changes in natural host–parasite interactions could help to clarify the progression of human infections caused by Gnathostoma binucleatum. The aim of this work was to study morphological changes in the liver and stomach of D. virginiana during natural infection and adult worm expulsion. Three opossums naturally infected with G. turgidum were captured from an endemic area of gnathostomosis. Three uninfected opossums captured from a non-endemic area were used as controls. The opossums were sacrificed at different stages of infection (March, May and December), and a histopathological study of their livers and stomachs was conducted. Injuries in livers were observed by histopathology – areas of necrosis and collagen septa were identified. Parasites caused nodules with necrosis on the periphery of lesions, and collagen fibres were also observed in stomachs. Collagen septa may be caused by antigenic remains of the parasite. Further immunological studies are necessary to verify that stimulation is caused by these factors.

Type
Short Communication
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 92 , Issue 6 , November 2018 , pp. 765 - 768
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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