Pike intestinal reaction to Acanthocephalus lucii (Acanthocephala): immunohistochemical and ultrastructural surveys
Abstract
The Northern pike, Esox lucius, is a large, long-lived, top-predator fish species and occupies a broad range of aquatic environments. This species is on its way to becoming an important model organism and has the potential to contribute new knowledge and a better understanding of ecology and evolutionary biology. Very few studies have been done on the intestinal pathology of pike infected with helminths. The present study details the first Italian record of adult Acanthocephalus lucii reported in the intestine of E. lucius. A total of 22 pike from Lake Piediluco (Central Italy) were examined, of which 16 (72.7%) were infected with A. lucii. The most affected areas of gastrointestinal tract were the medium and distal intestine. The intensity of infection ranged from 1 to 18 parasites per host. Acanthocephalus lucii penetrated mucosal and submucosal layers which had a high number of mast cells (MCs) with an intense degranulation. The cellular elements involved in the immune response within the intestine of pike were assessed by ultrastructural techniques and immunohistochemistry using antibodies against met-enkephalin, immunoglobulin E (IgE)-like receptor (FCεRIγ), histamine, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, substance P, lysozyme, ...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Methods Mentioned
Software Mentioned
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Bacterial Cell Wall Structure (ASM)
Bacterial cell walls are made of peptidoglycan (also called murein), which is made from polysaccharide chains cross-linked by unusual peptides containing D-amino acids. Here is the latest research on bacterial cell wall structures.
Bacterial Cell Wall Structure
Bacterial cell walls are made of peptidoglycan (also called murein), which is made from polysaccharide chains cross-linked by unusual peptides containing D-amino acids. Here is the latest research on bacterial cell wall structures.