Inflammatory responses to infection in animal models: A comparison between susceptible and nonsusceptible hosts in different anatomical locations.

BACKGROUND

Inflammation caused by infection increases the risk of cholangitis, cholecystitis, and leads to bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma or CCA). However, only certain infected individuals are susceptible to CCA, suggesting the involvement of host factors in cancer development. In addition, there are reports indicating differences in the locations of CCA.

AIM

This study aims to investigate cellular inflammatory responses in the common bile duct (CB), intrahepatic bile duct (IHB), and gallbladder (GB) in susceptible and non-susceptible hosts following infection.

METHODS

Thirty Syrian golden hamsters (a susceptible host) and 30 BALB/c mice (a non-susceptible host) infected with were studied at six time points (five animals per group). Histopathological evaluations were conducted on samples from the IHB, CB, and GB. Inflammatory cell infiltration was quantitatively assessed and compared between groups and time points. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, with a significance level of < 0.05.

RESULTS

Inflammation was significantly more pronounced in the IHB compared to the other two biliary locations. In comparison between susceptible and non-susceptible hosts, the intensity of inflammation was higher in the OV+H group than in the OV+M group ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the association between host response to inflammation, tissue location, and host susceptibility, with the IHB showing particular susceptibility to inflammation and pathological changes. These findings contribute to our understanding of the increased risk of CCA in susceptible hosts.