Increased hepatotoxicity of bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni.

Mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni were highly sensitive to the lethal effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The hyper-reactive state of LPS coincided with the development around the parasite eggs of multiple granulomas in the liver. Elevated aspartate transaminase levels in blood and severe hypoglycaemia in LPS-challenged animals indicated extensive liver parenchymal cell damage. There was also a complete depletion of glycogen in hepatocytes of these animals. From this work and studies on other hepatitis models, it is suggested that individuals affected with granulomatous disorders may be at risk because of everyday exposure to LPS from the gut.