RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To observe the pathological change in the brain of Angiostrongylus cantonensis-infected mouse. METHODS: Forty-eight mice were orally infected each with 40 third stage larvae of A. cantonensis, 3 mice were sacrificed at 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 days postinfection respectively for worm recovery, and another 3 mice were for observing the histopathological change in tissue sections of the brain. RESULTS: Ten days postinfection, worms were found in the brain of the infected mice with a mean worm number of (7.0+/-1.7) per mouse. The highest number of worms was found at 16 days postinfection, with a mean of (23.7+/-4.9) per mouse. Notable symptoms of nervous system were seen on 15 days postinfection. Most mice died around 22 days postinfection. Histological examination revealed mechanical damages. Cavities and inflammation were observed in the brain parenchyma. Worms were seen in the subarachnoid space. Meningitis-like signs started at 13 days and aggravated then. CONCLUSIONS: Infection of A. cantonensis causes pathological change in mouse brain and the process is aggravating with postinfection time.