Characterization of cerebral malaria in the outbred Swiss Webster mouse infected by Plasmodium berghei ANKA

Summary Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection in susceptible inbred mouse strains is the most commonly used experimental model to study pathogenesis of cerebral malaria (CM). Indeed, many concepts on mechanisms related to this complication have arisen from works using this model. Although inbred s...

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Published in:International journal of experimental pathology 2009-04, Vol.90 (2), p.119-130
Main Authors: Martins, Yuri Chaves, Smith, Mary Jane, Pelajo-Machado, Marcelo, Werneck, Guilherme Loureiro, Lenzi, Henrique Leonel, Daniel-Ribeiro, Claudio Tadeu, Carvalho, Leonardo José de Moura
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Brain - pathology
cerebral malaria
Disease Models, Animal
Disease Susceptibility
Female
histopathology
Liver - pathology
Malaria, Cerebral - parasitology
Malaria, Cerebral - pathology
Mice
Mice, Inbred CBA
murine models
Original
Parasitemia - parasitology
Plasmodium berghei
Plasmodium berghei - classification
Plasmodium berghei - isolation & purification
Plasmodium berghei - pathogenicity
Plasmodium berghei ANKA
Spleen - pathology
Survival Analysis
Swiss Webster
Thymus Gland - pathology
Virulence
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Summary:Summary Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection in susceptible inbred mouse strains is the most commonly used experimental model to study pathogenesis of cerebral malaria (CM). Indeed, many concepts on mechanisms related to this complication have arisen from works using this model. Although inbred strains present several advantages and are indicated for most studies, the use of outbred models can show unique usefulness in a number of approaches such as fine post‐quantitative trait loci mapping and discovery of genes relevant to CM susceptibility or resistance, as well as pharmacological and vaccine studies. Here we describe the features of PbA infection and CM incidence, and characterize the associated multiorgan pathology in the outbred Swiss Webster mouse. This model showed a sizeable (62.7%) and reproducible incidence of CM demonstrated by clinical signs and histopathological changes in brain (microhaemorrhages, oedema and vessel plugging by mononuclear cells). Major pathological changes were also observed in lungs, liver, thymus and spleen, analogous to those observed in inbred strains. Parasitaemia levels were associated with the risk of CM development, the risk being significantly higher in mice showing higher values of parasitaemia on days 6–7 of infection. This outbred CM model is then suitable for genetic, vaccine and drug studies targeting this malaria complication.
ISSN:0959-9673
1365-2613
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00622.x