Echinostoma caproni: intestinal pathology in the golden hamster, a highly compatible host, and the Wistar rat, a less compatible host

The histopathological changes induced by Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) in a high (golden hamster) and a low compatible host (rat) were compared at 15 and 30 days post-infection. Infection of rats was characterized by a progressive increase in erosion of villi and elevated numbers of goblet cells, which could be related to the early expulsion of the parasite in a host of low compatibility. In contrast to rats, the number of goblet cell in E. caproni-infected hamsters was low, but increased numbers of neutrophils and mesenteric inflammatory cells were observed. This indicated that local inflammatory responses in hamsters were greater than in rats. An immunohistochemical study using polyclonal IgG anti-E. caproni excretory-secretory antigens demonstrated a greater level of passage of E. caproni antigens through the intestinal mucosa in hamsters than in rats, probably in relation to the greater inflammatory response. Our results indicate the fact that early inflammatory responses could be important for the establishment of E. caproni chronic infections in highly compatible hosts.