Effects of oral infection Toxoplasma gondii on immune organs in mice

Objective To study the effects of oral infection of Toxoplasma gondii on immune organs in mice. Methods There were two groups of mice (each n=50) . Test group was given orally 5×10 4 tachyzoites of RH strain in each 0.5ml, while the control group was given equal volume of PBS, observing the symptoms of mice. The thymus and spleen were weighed and the numbers of the Peyer's patches (PP) was counted. Results Inoculation tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii induced mouse infection. Symptoms were most serious on d 8 and 10 post-infection. The thymus weight decreased and spleen weight increased. The PP showedno noticeable change in the number, but it slightly enlarged. There was high significant difference on d 8 and 10 post-infection between both groups (P001). Conclusion The mice which have been orally infected 5×10 4 tachyzoites show transient symptoms. During oral infection of Toxoplasma gondii both systemic and mucosal immune responses are induced, so the pathological changes appear.