Effect of a low-protein diet on the spleen of Swiss Webster mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni.

Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent parasitic disease globally. It is common in tropical and subtropical regions, with transmission dependent on human contact with contaminated water and the presence of an intermediate host. The disease is associated with poverty and coexists with inefficient nutrient consumption among populations lacking basic sanitation. In this study, we performed a histopathological analysis of the spleen in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice fed a low-protein diet. Mice were divided into four groups (n = 5 animals per group): uninfected, standard diet (US); uninfected, low-protein diet (ULP); infected, standard diet (IS); and infected, low-protein diet (ILP). S. mansoni infection (BH strain, with approximately 100 cercariae via subcutaneous route) occurred at the 4th week of diet administration, and euthanasia was performed after 9 weeks of infection. After euthanasia, the spleen was excised, cleaved, fixed, and then underwent histological processing and staining for the relevant analyses. Splenic alterations were investigated through qualitative and quantitative histological analyses, utilizing white pulp and capsule morphometry, stereology (D36 method), and megakaryocyte quantification. Histopathological analyses of the ILP group revealed a notable increase in hemosiderin and bilirubin pigment deposits, a 100 % increase in the volume density of trabeculae and megakaryocytes (albeit with deficient synthesis), and intense organizational changes in the splenic parenchyma. Therefore, the presented data suggest that protein deficiency exacerbates splenic tissue disorganization, a common condition in schistosomiasis, significantly impacting disease pathogenesis and host response.