Differential liver histopathological responses to amphibian chytrid infection.
Dis Aquat Organ
; 142: 177-187, 2020 Dec 17.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33331285
ABSTRACT
Amphibians have been facing a pandemic caused by the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Although studies have elucidated cutaneous and homeostatic disturbances, it is still unknown if the hepatic function can be affected or if hepatic effects differ among host species. Thus, we evaluated the effects of an experimental Bd infection on the liver (histopathology and the hepatosomatic index) of 2 anuran species (Xenopus laevis and Physalaemus albonotatus) with different susceptibilities to Bd infection and compared them to uninfected controls. Bd infection increased the melanomacrophage cell area and induced leukocyte infiltration in both species. The effects were more pronounced in the sensitive species, P. albonotatus, which showed severe reduction in glycogen stores and liver atrophy, due to energetic imbalance. Hepatocytes of P. albonotatus also showed ballooning degeneration (vacuolization), which could lead to cell death and liver failure. Our results provide evidence that although the sensitive species showed more severe effects, the tolerant species also had hepatic responses to the infection. These findings indicate that hepatic function can play an important role in detoxification and in immune responses to chytridiomycosis, and that it may be used as a new biomarker of health status in chytrid infections.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Quitridiomicetos
/
Micosis
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Dis Aquat Organ
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
/
MICROBIOLOGIA
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Brasil