TY - JOUR
T1 - Endothelial cell changes are associated with pulmonary edema and respiratory distress in mice infected with the WA1 human Babesia parasite
AU - Hemmer, Ruth M.
AU - Wozniak, Edward J.
AU - Lowenstine, Linda J
AU - Plopper, Charles
AU - Wong, Viviana
AU - Conrad, Patricia A
PY - 1999/6
Y1 - 1999/6
N2 - A C3H/HeN mouse model was established to study the pathogenesis of the human babesial parasites, WA1 and Babesia microti. To evaluate the course of parasitemia and the associated lesions, mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with either WA1-infected, B. microti-infected, or uninfected hamster red blood cells. WA1-infected mice developed dyspnea and moderate parasitemias, after which death occurred. Babesia microti-infected mice experienced low parasitemias with no apparent morbidity or mortality. WA1-infected mice were thrombocytopenic but not anemic. Hemograms for B. microti-infected mice were similar to controls. Postmortem examination of WA1-infected mice revealed prominent lesions in the lungs, including pulmonary edema and intravascular margination of leukocytes. No pulmonary changes were detected in B, microti-infected mice. Blood gas measurements of WA1-infected mice showed reduced oxygen saturation and pH, and increased carbonic acid compared to controls, indicating hypoxia and respiratory acidosis. Ultrastructure studies of WA1-infected lungs showed hypertrophied endothelial cells containing transcellular channels associated with protein- rich intra-alveolar fluid. Endothelial cell activation was demonstrated by an upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in the lungs of WA1- infected mice. The results suggest that recruitment of inflammatory cells to the lungs in WA1-infected mice induces endothelial cell alterations, leading to pulmonary edema and acute respiratory failure.
AB - A C3H/HeN mouse model was established to study the pathogenesis of the human babesial parasites, WA1 and Babesia microti. To evaluate the course of parasitemia and the associated lesions, mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with either WA1-infected, B. microti-infected, or uninfected hamster red blood cells. WA1-infected mice developed dyspnea and moderate parasitemias, after which death occurred. Babesia microti-infected mice experienced low parasitemias with no apparent morbidity or mortality. WA1-infected mice were thrombocytopenic but not anemic. Hemograms for B. microti-infected mice were similar to controls. Postmortem examination of WA1-infected mice revealed prominent lesions in the lungs, including pulmonary edema and intravascular margination of leukocytes. No pulmonary changes were detected in B, microti-infected mice. Blood gas measurements of WA1-infected mice showed reduced oxygen saturation and pH, and increased carbonic acid compared to controls, indicating hypoxia and respiratory acidosis. Ultrastructure studies of WA1-infected lungs showed hypertrophied endothelial cells containing transcellular channels associated with protein- rich intra-alveolar fluid. Endothelial cell activation was demonstrated by an upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in the lungs of WA1- infected mice. The results suggest that recruitment of inflammatory cells to the lungs in WA1-infected mice induces endothelial cell alterations, leading to pulmonary edema and acute respiratory failure.
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U2 - 10.2307/3285783
DO - 10.2307/3285783
M3 - Article
C2 - 10386441
AN - SCOPUS:0033003439
VL - 85
SP - 479
EP - 489
JO - Journal of Parasitology
JF - Journal of Parasitology
SN - 0022-3395
IS - 3
ER -