Effects of cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone on mast cell populations inHymenolepis microstoma-infected mice

SUMMARYAntineoplastic cyclophosphamide (CY) significantly reduced the survival and the weight ofHymenolepis microstomain mice. Corticosteroid dexamethasone (DEX), on the other hand, did not influence the worm survival and the worms in DEX-treated mice became significantly heavier. Both immunosuppressants abolishedH. microstoma-induced bile duct hypertrophy and submucous enteritis and lowered the number of mast cells (MC) in these regions. CY appeared to be more effective in depleting the bile duct MC whereas DEX seemed to affect more the duodenal MC population.