Pathological effects of Pseudodiplorchis americanus (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) on the lung epithelium of its host, Scaphiopus couchii

Tinsley, R. C., Cable, Joanne ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8510-7055 and Porter, R. 2003. Pathological effects of Pseudodiplorchis americanus (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) on the lung epithelium of its host, Scaphiopus couchii. Parasitology 125 (2) , pp. 143-153. 10.1017/S0031182002001993

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Abstract

Infection of the desert toad, Scaphiopus couchii, by the monogenean Pseudodiplorchis americanus involves 2 principal sites: post-invasion juveniles reside in the respiratory tract for 1 month before migrating to the urinary bladder where they reach sexual maturity and may live up to 4 years. While previous work has demonstrated the long-term impact on host condition of the blood-feeding adults, this study assesses pathological effects of the short-term pulmonary infection. Lung ultrastructure was compared in toads (i) maintained in captivity for 1 year without invasion, and (ii) experimentally infected with 50–300 juveniles/host, equivalent to burdens in the wild, and examined 23–44 days p.i. Typically, the alveolar lining of S. couchii is composed of a single cell type with characteristics of both Type I and Type II pneumocytes. However, infected lung tissue exhibited an inflammatory reaction with epithelial cell vacuolation, interstitial oedema, and an increase of alveolar exudate, leucocytes and fibrous tissue. Accompanying a post-infection increase in host immune cells in the lungs, there was evidence of reciprocal tegumental damage to the parasites. Lung epithelium of toads free of infection for 1 year exhibited scar tissue representing a residual effect of past infection. The pathological consequences of P. americanus infection therefore have 2 components. Acute lung infection coincides with the host's brief activity season: impaired respiratory function could compromise feeding and accumulation of reserves and hence ability to survive following a 10 month period of hibernation. Additionally, adult toads are normally exposed annually to re-infection and may accumulate chronic lung damage with extended effects on host survival.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Subjects:	Q Science > QL Zoology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	ultrastructure; pathology; immunity; leucocyte; alveoli; Amphibia; Monogenea
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	0031-1820
Last Modified:	27 Oct 2022 08:17
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/61872

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