title: Cellular changes in the spleens of mice infected with Sarcocystis muris.
abstract: Cellular changes in the spleens of mice infected with Sarcocystis muris have been studied. Immunofluorescent staining for B and T cells and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) staining for macrophages combined with histological studies revealed marked changes in the populations and distributions of all three cell types. Infection was accompanied by a marked splenomegaly, attributable mainly to widespread hyperplasia of the white pulp. Following infection there was an increase in the relative proportions of B cells (i.e. surface immunoglobulin+) and ANAE+ cells and a decrease in the proportion of T cells (i.e. Thy 1.2+). There was also a progressive accumulation of immunoglobulin-containing cells in the periarteriolar lymphocytic sheaths. Splenomegaly was most pronounced 20 days after infection. At this time there were 9.3 times as many B cells, 3.7 times as many T cells and 16.6 times as many ANAE+ cells as in uninfected mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Charleston
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Moriarty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002452:Cell Count; D007121:Immunocompetence; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size; D012523:Sarcocystosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology