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Effect of Angiostrongylus costaricensis extract on eosinophilic pulmonary response in BALB/c mice

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Abstract

Epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated an association between parasitic infections and the allergic diseases. A protective effect in asthma was shown in animals infected with helminths. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Angiostrongylus costaricensis extract on inflammatory lung response to ovalbumin (OVA) in mice. Four BALB/c mice received A. costaricensis extract by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection on the first day. Mice were immunised against OVA by i.p. injection on day (D) 5 and D12 and received a daily intranasal OVA challenge (40 μl) between the D19 and D21. On D23, we performed a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on the mice. Four BALB/c mice (control group) were immunised against OVA using the same protocol, but did not receive parasite extract. Total cell counts (TCC) and differential cell counts were performed in BAL fluid samples. Eosinophil cell counts in BAL fluid were lower in the group that received A. costaricensis extract when compared with the control group (0.04×106 cells/ml and 0.01×106 cells/ml, respectively; p=0.04). TCC were not different between the groups studied. A. costaricensis extract in mice decreases eosinophilic response to OVA in BAL fluid.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank their colleagues from the Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and the Laboratory of Pulmonology for their helpful comments and participation. The experiment complies with the current ethic laws of Brazil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Research Institute, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Leonardo A. Pinto, Ana Christina O. Dias, Bruna L. Rymer, Fabíola F. Fernandes, Gustavo L. Barbosa, Denise C. Machado, Marcus H. Jones, Carlos G. Teixeira, Renato T. Stein & Paulo M. C. Pitrez

  2. Klinikum der Universität München, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, Allergogenetisches Labor K0.20, Lindwurmstr, 2a-Kubus Rückgebäude, 80337, Munich, Germany

    Leonardo A. Pinto

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  1. Leonardo A. Pinto
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  2. Ana Christina O. Dias
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  3. Bruna L. Rymer
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  4. Fabíola F. Fernandes
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  5. Gustavo L. Barbosa
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  6. Denise C. Machado
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  7. Marcus H. Jones
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  8. Carlos G. Teixeira
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  9. Renato T. Stein
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  10. Paulo M. C. Pitrez
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Correspondence to Leonardo A. Pinto.

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Pinto, L.A., Dias, A.C.O., Rymer, B.L. et al. Effect of Angiostrongylus costaricensis extract on eosinophilic pulmonary response in BALB/c mice. Parasitol Res 98, 295–298 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-0042-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-0042-6

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