Natural and induced blood dissemination of Toxoplasma gondii: experimental model in white mice and hamsters

Rev Biol Trop. 1993 Aug;41(2):197-202.

Abstract

Blood inoculation in mice showed that Toxoplasma organisms circulate in blood after 1 h of oocyst infection. Parasites were detected up to 15 days later and then disappeared from the bloodstream concomitantly with cyst formation in the brain, probably due to antibody presence. Immunosuppression caused by cortisone acetate treatment induced Toxoplasma bloodstream invasion in chronically infected mice and hamsters, causing death in some. Natural dissemination is discussed in relation with congenital toxoplasmosis. Induced immunosuppressive effect is compared with that produced by natural diseases such as Hodgkin, lymphoma, AIDS and others.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / immunology
  • Brain / parasitology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cortisone / analogs & derivatives
  • Cortisone / pharmacology
  • Cricetinae
  • Female
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Time Factors
  • Toxoplasma* / immunology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / blood*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / drug therapy
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Cortisone