Murine cerebral malaria: Histopathology and ICAM 1 immunohistochemistry of the inner ear

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the pathophysiologic changes in the inner ear during the course of severe cerebral malaria in an established animal model, C57 BL/6J mice. Methods This study aims to examine the hearing threshold, the histological changes and ICAM-1 expression in the murine cochlea. Results Four of seven mice showed an expected hearing loss of 20dB or more. The light microscopy of the inner ear did not show any morphologic alterations. The immunohistochemical analysis for ICAM-1 showed intensive staining in the stria vascularis of sick animals and hardly any reaction in healthy controls. Conclusion The up-regulation of ICAM-1 in the stria vascularis - generating the endocochlear potential - suggests its involvement in plasmodial infection. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.