Immunopathological Assessment of Hydatid Cyst and Cysticercus Tenuicollis Sonicated Protoscoilces Antigens in Mice

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the cross-protection (protective immunity) between Hydatid cyst and Bladder worm and evaluate the immunologic response of both humerol and cellular immunity in mice. To achieve these goals, 120 mice were used and equally divided into four groups immunized subcutaneously with 2 doses of antigen at the first and 14 days of the experiment. Mice in the first group (n=30) were immunized with 0.3 ml of hydatid cyst sonicated protoscolex antigen. Those in the second group (n=30) were immunized s/c with 0.3 ml of Cysticercus tenuicollis sonicated protscolex antigen. The third group (n=30) was immunized with 0.3 ml of both antigens (0.15 + 0.15), and the fourth group was a control group in which the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.2 ml of phosphate buffer solution. At the end of the experiment (30 days), blood samples were taken from the hearts of mice in all groups after being anesthetized by intramuscular injection of Ketamine 60 mg/kg, and Xylazine 12 mg/kg for the assessment of mouse Interleukin-12, IgG, and tumor necrosis alpha levels. The skin test results 24 hours (day 28) post-immunization showed an increase in the skin thickness against both antigens in the treatments, compared to the control. However, there was a decrease at 48 hours (day 29) post-examination in all groups. The results of TNFα titer showed higher titer in the third group, compared to the first, second, and fourth groups. Interleukin 12 concentration showed a higher titer in the third group than in the first, second, and fourth groups. The IgG concentration showed higher titer in the third group compared to the first, second, and fourth groups. In conclusion, immunopathological studies have shown that Ags used in the study, induce humoral and cellular immunity, compared to each Ag alone, and the mixed antigens were much more immunogenic. This cross-reactivity and synergistic interactions between the two parasites may be the cause of their antigenic activities.