Biochemical and histopathological changes in balb/C mice-as an experimental animal model- infected with Taenia saginata oncospheres

This study aimed to use BALB/c mice as an animal model to develop Taenia saginata oncosphere infection. The biochemical and histopathological changes in this model were estimated. Tumor-like cysts containing meta-cysticerci were obtained at the inoculation sites of mice at the 8^th week post-infection which confirmed by using polymerase chain reaction PCR assay. The 1,300 base pair (bp) product was detected for T. saginata cyst by PCR. Histpathological examination of infected mice heart revealed myocarditis. Biochemical analysis result showed that there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in serum globulins and marked decrease in A/G ratio in group of mice infested with oncospheres of T. saginata compared to non-infested group. However, there was no significant difference in serum total proteins and albumin of both groups of treatment. Serum of creatinine and total cholesterol levels and ALT activity in infested group were markedly (P<0.01) increased compared to control non-infected group. In conclusion, female BALB/c mice can be used as experimental animals for studying the host immune response in vaccine development trails. As well as T. saginata cysticercosis caused an alteration in liver and kidney functions.