Interference of dexamethasone in the pulmonary cycle of Strongyloides venezuelensis in rats.
The aim of this study was to investigate the interference of a daily treatment of dexamethasone in the pulmonary cycle of Strongyloides venezuelensis infection in rats. Three principal effects were found: 1) increased alveolar hemorrhagic inflammation provoked by the passage of larvae into alveolar spaces; 2) significant decrease of eosinophil and mast cell migration to the axial septum of the lungs; and 3) impaired formation of the reticular fiber network, interfering with granuloma organization. This study showed that the use of drugs with immunomodulatory actions, such as dexamethasone, in addition to interfering with the morbidity from the pulmonary cycle of S. venezuelensis infection, may contribute to showing the mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis.
Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. cristefe@usp.br
Cristiane
C
Tefé-Silva
Daniela I
DI
Souza
Marlene T
MT
Ueta
Elaine M
EM
Floriano
Lúcia H
LH
Faccioli
Simone G
SG
Ramos
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000502:physiology; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D003907:Dexamethasone