Leishmaniose visceral em hamsters experimentalmente infectados: doença venérea em machos com transmissão sexual

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an anthropozoonosis caused by protozoa belonging to the Leishmania donovani complex. Hematophagous phlebotomine vectors classically transmit the parasite; however, vertical transmissions of VL also occur. The presence of Leishmania has been reported in the semen of infected animals, causing tissue damage leading to azoospermia and testicular atrophy at the chronic stage. The aim of this study was to characterize lesions in the male genital system of golden hamsters (Mesocricettus auratus), experimentally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum, elucidating the immunological and histopathological profile and parasite loadgenerated by the animal during experimental infection and the implication of sexual transmission. Male hamster experimental infection confirmed successfully. Hematological parameters were compatible to Leishmania infection. Anatomo-histological changes observed in the testis; high parasite load by qPCR in the beginning of infection were compatible with the increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNFα, INFγ. Subsequently, increased IL-4 production was associated with low parasite load. Negative females mated with L. infantum experimentally infected males were positive for Leishmania sp. by PCR. The study showed the presence of L. infantum in the testis and epididymis of experimentally infected hamsters, showing parasite amastigotes in the seminiferous tubules lumen and epididymal duct, free of any phagocyte. In addition, the immunological profile and parasitic load demonstrated how parasites stay in the male reproductive system, causing low impact on male fertility. Further, it was found that L. infantum was sexually transmitted this experimental model.