Morphologic and biochemical changes caused by experimentally induced dicroceliosis in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Background and Purpose: The aim of the study reported here was to investiga te the pathomorphologic changes caused by experimentally induced dicrocelio sis and their correlation with hepatobiliary function. Methods: Studies were carried out at days 80 and 120 after oral inoculation of hamsters with 40 metacercariae of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. Results: The parasite-induced pathologic changes were assessed by presence of fluke eggs in feces, increased plasma alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activities and morphologic alterations. Dicroceliosis was cha racterized by bile ductular proliferation and enlargement of the bile duct surface area caused by hyperplastic cholangitis in septal bile ducts. The l iver from infected animals contained portal tracts infiltrated with small t o moderate numbers of lymphocytes, macrophages, and eosinophils, Simultaneo usly, there was an increase in portal tract collagen that extended to the i nterlobular septa and caused pressure atrophy of the hepatic parenchyma. Th e concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and the ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione, measured as markers of oxidative stress, were significantly increased. Conclusions: The presence of oxidative alterations could be related to the morphologic evidence of chronic inflammatory response as well as to liver c ellular injury indicated by cellular swelling, and increased presence of pe roxisomes and lysosomes.