The avian schistosome Trichobilharzia franki in mice: Migration, pathogenicity, and the host immune response
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11310%2F25%3A10504122" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11310/25:10504122 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=ae7hq5VbFq" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=ae7hq5VbFq</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00289" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00289</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
The avian schistosome Trichobilharzia franki in mice: Migration, pathogenicity, and the host immune response
Original language description
Cercarial dermatitis (CD; swimmer's itch) is a re-emerging skin disease caused by avian schistosomes, including Trichobilharzia franki. Here, we present morphological, genetic, and experimental evidence confirming the involvement of T. franki in recent CD outbreaks across Czechia. Ocellate furcocercariae were collected from Radix auricularia at four sites and identified as T. franki through ITS1 sequencing. Despite minor morphological differences from previously reported specimens, all isolates belonged to the genetically uniform T. franki "auricularia" clade. Experimental infection of mice with T. franki resulted in a similar to 60 % penetration rate, accompanied by early-onset scratching and transient weight loss. Gross pathology demonstrated hemorrhages on lung surfaces and splenic atrophy at 2 days post-infection (dpi), along with a prominent enlargement of parotid lymph nodes at both 2 and 7 dpi. Histological examination of the skin revealed viable schistosomula, moderate leukocyte infiltration, epidermal hyperplasia, and the formation of hyperkeratotic crusts at 2 dpi. By 7 dpi, parasites were no longer detectable, but epidermal pathology persisted. In the lungs, eosinophil-rich foci and multifocal hemorrhages were observed at 2 dpi, transitioning to neutrophil-dominated lesions at 7 dpi, despite the absence of detectable schistosomula. Splenocytes from infected mice responded to homologous and heterologous cercarial antigens by producing IFN gamma, IL-4, and IL-10, indicating a mixed Th1/ Th2/Treg profile and notable species cross-reactivity. However, parasite-specific IgG remained undetectable at 7 dpi. These findings confirm T. franki as the causative agent of CD outbreaks and underscore its capacity to induce localized and systemic pathology and immune response, crossreacting with other schistosomes.
Czech name
—
Czech description
—
Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
—
OECD FORD branch
10600 - Biological sciences
Result continuities
Project
Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.
Continuities
P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Food and Waterborne Parasitology
ISSN
2405-6766
e-ISSN
2405-6766
Volume of the periodical
41
Issue of the periodical within the volume
December
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
14
Pages from-to
e00289
UT code for WoS article
001584191600001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105015848507