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Fig. 3 | Parasites & Vectors

Fig. 3

From: Clinical, hematological and biochemical alterations in hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum through different routes of inoculation

Fig. 3

Relative weight of the spleen in uninfected hamsters as a control group (C, n = 10 animals/time; white) and hamsters experimentally infected with L. infantum (PP75 or OP46 strain) by routes of inoculation: intradermal (ID, n = 10 animals/time; light gray), intraperitoneal (IP, n = 10 animals/time; dark gray), or intracardiac (IC, n = 10 animals/time; black) after 1, 3, 6 and 9 months of infection. The results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Significant differences (P < 0.05) between infection with the different routes of inoculation are represented by the connected lines (a). Macroscopic changes in the spleen of uninfected hamsters as a control group (C) and in hamsters experimentally infected with L. infantum (PP75 or OP46 strain) by the IC route of inoculation at 9 months of infection. The macroscopic splenic changes included increase in the volume of the organ (splenomegaly), thickening of edges, rugose and irregular surface and dark coloration (b). Correlation between parasite load and relative weight in the spleen of hamsters experimentally infected with L. infantum (PP75 or OP46 strain) by different routes of inoculation: intraperitoneal (IP; dark gray) or intracardiac (IC; black) after 1, 3, 6 and 9 months of infection. Spearman’s correlation index r and P-values are shown on the graphs; the connecting lines illustrate positive and negative correlation indices (c)

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