Anatomical and Histopathological Researches in Experimental Infections with Prototheca Algae in Mice

摘要

In order to realize this study, three BALB mice groups were used: one inoculated with P. zopfii, one with P. wickerhamii suspension and one control group. Each group was constituted of twelve animals, 2 months old, with an approximate body mass of 20 g.Both Prototheca species: one referent strain Prototheca wickerhamii (RE-4608014 ATCC 16529) and one Prototheca zopfii isolate (from cow mastitic milk sample), were cultured in glucose broth medium, 48 hours, at 37C.Except control group, each animal was i.p. inoculated with 0,1 ml algal suspension. Although any clinical disease sign was not observed in 10, 15 and 20 days from the beginning of the experiment for both inoculated groups, four mice were slaughted. Microscopic lesions caused by Prototheca algae were represented by granuloma and piogranuloma found in different internals as confirmed by identification of organism by staining with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and culture. So appreciated illness severity we utilized a score system in order to obtained a lesional systemic score for each animal. We appreciated: limph nodes reaction, the presence or absence of granuloma in skin, liver, pancreas, diaphragm, kidney, spleen and intestine. The data were statistically process using t test. In group inoculated with P. zopfii the lesions were more severs than those evidenciated in P. wickerhamii infected group.