EFFECT OF CONCOMITANT LEAD INTOXICATION ON LIVER TISSUES AND IMMUNE RESPONSES OF MICE INFECTED WITH SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI
Sharaf O.F.*, Bayomy M.F.F.** and Azab A.E.**
*Medical Parasitology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University
**Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University
Schistosomiasis is an important helminthic disease that infects over 200 million people with more than 700 million people are at risk of getting infected. Although, the granulomatous response to schistosome eggs is responsible for the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis, it serves to wall-off the eggs and prevent the release of potentially toxic molecules and help to destroy the ova. Continuous environmental and occupational lead exposure can cause several changes in the liver structure leading to impaired liver functions. The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of concomitant lead intoxication on liver tissues as well as the immune responses of mice infected with S. mansoni.. The results showed that both lead intoxication and schistosomiasis caused hepatic damage as evidenced by elevated AST and ALT and histopathology. Concomitant intoxication with lead in mice infected with S. mansoni resulted in significant damage than in either infected or intoxicated mice. There was significant decrease in sizes of granulomas in lead intoxicated mice (P<0.05) and this was associated with significant decrease in the levels of interleukin 4 (P<0.05). Therefore, it is recommended to perform regular screening for schistosomiasis, as well as other diseases, to all individuals exposed to high levels of leads such as workers in lead-acid battery processing, lead wire and pipe factories.
June 2013