Structural Changes in Spleen Architecture upon Plasmodium berghei (NK-65) Infection in BALB/c Mice

Abstract

Malaria, caused by an apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. In present study, Plasmodium berghei (NK-65) was found to be lethal to BALB/c strain of Swiss white mice, when injected parasitized erythrocytes. Malaria infection has been reported to induce acute injuries to vital organs i.e. liver, kidney and spleen of infected host. The spleen is the largest secondary immune organ in the body and is responsible for initiating immune reactions to blood-borne antigens and for filtering the blood of foreign material and damaged red blood cells. All the important functions are carried out by two main compartment of spleen: white and red pulp. Splenomegaly was observed with rise in infection. Haematoxylin/Eosin stained transverse sections of normal mouse spleen showed an intact capsular region with trabecule emanating into splenic parenchyma. Spleen of post-infection mice exhibited disturbed splenic architecture enlarged white pulp area, infected cells, sinusoidal dilation, haemozoin deposition and transient loss of marginal zone due to P.berghei infection.