Histopathological Aspects of the Influence of <i>Babesia microti</i> on the Placentas of Infected Female Rats
Babesiosis is perceived mainly an animal disease; however, awareness that <i>Babesia</i> spp. parasites that can cause diseases in humans is increasing significantly. Babesiosis is spread by the bite of an infected tick (<i>Ixodes</i> spp.), but it can also be transmitted by...
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/1/18 |
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| author | Krzysztof P. Jasik Anna Kleczka Aleksandra Franielczyk |
| author_facet | Krzysztof P. Jasik Anna Kleczka Aleksandra Franielczyk |
| author_sort | Krzysztof P. Jasik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Babesiosis is perceived mainly an animal disease; however, awareness that <i>Babesia</i> spp. parasites that can cause diseases in humans is increasing significantly. Babesiosis is spread by the bite of an infected tick (<i>Ixodes</i> spp.), but it can also be transmitted by transfusion of infected blood and from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy or childbirth. The parasites multiply in the bloodstream and destroy red blood cells. This study aimed to assess the influence of <i>Babesia microti</i> on the histological structure of the placenta. Histopathological material collected from pregnant rats infected with <i>Babesia microti</i> was used in the experiment. Microscopic images of the placentas were assessed by Mallory staining and by using methylene blue-stained semi-thin sections. In addition, FISH was used to detect parasite DNA. The presence of piroplasms in both maternal and fetal vessels was demonstrated. <i>Babesia microti</i> infection caused vacuolization of syncytioblasts and cytotrophoblasts, accumulation of collagen fibers in placental villi, and increased adhesion of erythrocytes to the vascular walls. These results indicate that <i>Babesia</i> may influence the course of pregnancy and invite further research on the mechanism of piroplasm penetration into cells. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:33:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5ef5c7a9d2eb401f9403842d9d873326 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:33:24Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-5ef5c7a9d2eb401f9403842d9d8733262024-01-26T18:45:22ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812024-01-011111810.3390/vetsci11010018Histopathological Aspects of the Influence of <i>Babesia microti</i> on the Placentas of Infected Female RatsKrzysztof P. Jasik0Anna Kleczka1Aleksandra Franielczyk2Department of Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Ostrogórska 30, 41-200 Sosnowiec, PolandDepartment of Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Ostrogórska 30, 41-200 Sosnowiec, PolandDepartment of Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Ostrogórska 30, 41-200 Sosnowiec, PolandBabesiosis is perceived mainly an animal disease; however, awareness that <i>Babesia</i> spp. parasites that can cause diseases in humans is increasing significantly. Babesiosis is spread by the bite of an infected tick (<i>Ixodes</i> spp.), but it can also be transmitted by transfusion of infected blood and from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy or childbirth. The parasites multiply in the bloodstream and destroy red blood cells. This study aimed to assess the influence of <i>Babesia microti</i> on the histological structure of the placenta. Histopathological material collected from pregnant rats infected with <i>Babesia microti</i> was used in the experiment. Microscopic images of the placentas were assessed by Mallory staining and by using methylene blue-stained semi-thin sections. In addition, FISH was used to detect parasite DNA. The presence of piroplasms in both maternal and fetal vessels was demonstrated. <i>Babesia microti</i> infection caused vacuolization of syncytioblasts and cytotrophoblasts, accumulation of collagen fibers in placental villi, and increased adhesion of erythrocytes to the vascular walls. These results indicate that <i>Babesia</i> may influence the course of pregnancy and invite further research on the mechanism of piroplasm penetration into cells.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/1/18<i>B. microti</i>babesiosis vertical transmissionpregnancyrat placenta |
| spellingShingle | Krzysztof P. Jasik Anna Kleczka Aleksandra Franielczyk Histopathological Aspects of the Influence of <i>Babesia microti</i> on the Placentas of Infected Female Rats Veterinary Sciences <i>B. microti</i> babesiosis vertical transmission pregnancy rat placenta |
| title | Histopathological Aspects of the Influence of <i>Babesia microti</i> on the Placentas of Infected Female Rats |
| title_full | Histopathological Aspects of the Influence of <i>Babesia microti</i> on the Placentas of Infected Female Rats |
| title_fullStr | Histopathological Aspects of the Influence of <i>Babesia microti</i> on the Placentas of Infected Female Rats |
| title_full_unstemmed | Histopathological Aspects of the Influence of <i>Babesia microti</i> on the Placentas of Infected Female Rats |
| title_short | Histopathological Aspects of the Influence of <i>Babesia microti</i> on the Placentas of Infected Female Rats |
| title_sort | histopathological aspects of the influence of i babesia microti i on the placentas of infected female rats |
| topic | <i>B. microti</i> babesiosis vertical transmission pregnancy rat placenta |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/1/18 |
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