Abstract

The present study was carried out to examine the effect of "Cortisone" on the worm burden migrated in the organs, and granulomatous change in the liver of mice infected with Toxocara canis eggs. Daily does of 0.5 mg "Cortisone" was administrated subcutaneously to Toxocara-infected mice with different schedule. The results are summarized as follows: More number of Toxocara larvae migrated into the muscle tissue, especially into the carcass through the wall of the large intestine and higher distribution rate and longer persistence of worms were also recognized in the carcass of the experimental group than in the control. Cortisone administration resulted the inhibition of granuloma formation, as well as the resolution of granuloma in the liver. However, the discontinuation of the administration induced the reccurence of heavier grade of inflammation. In non-cortisone treated group (control), cellular infiltration appeared around the worms in the liver on the 10th day of the infection, and typical granulomatosis was followed on the 20th day. As in above results, it is considered cortisone has remarkable anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects in mice infected with T.canis, but histopathological changes on the granuloma formation might be related closely with the duration of Toxocara infection, dosage, duration and timing of cortisone administration.