Susceptibility of different mouse strains to Leishmania amazonensis infection

Resumen

Abstract

Background. In the most studied mouse model produced by Leishmania major, association was found between Th1 and Th2 immune responses, and resistant (C57BL/6) and susceptible (BALB/c) strains, respectively. This dichotomy is not observed in models developed with other Leishmania species. Therefore, advancing in the study of experimental models involving dominant species in our region represents an important challenge. The purpose was to reproduce the disease in diff erent mouse strains after infection with L. amazonensis.

Methods. To study the eff ect of the mice strain variable on susceptibility for L. amazonensis infection, a constant parasite inoculum was applied to the studied strains. Response to infection was characterized in C57BL/6, BALB/c, and Swiss strains by measuring lesions, estimating parasite load and histological analysis. Serum antibodies and cytokines were determinated by ELISA. Statistical analysis: ANOVA test.

Results. BALB/c showed maximum susceptibility to infection, Swiss demonstrated an intermediate phenotype, and C57BL/6 was the less susceptible strain. We obtained murine models reproducing diff erent clinical forms comparable to human disease.

Conclusions. The results will be useful to extrapolate the conclusions of future therapeutic and prophylactic analysis in experimental models to human pathology

(Dermatol Argent 2009; 15(5):334-339).

Key words: L. mexicana, animal models, mice.