Figure 1.

Mice chronically infected with Echinococcus multilocularis are protected from dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) ‐induced colitis. (a) Weight loss relative to the initial body weight. Mean values of n = 15 to n = 18 mice analysed per group are shown with error bars indicating the SD. At 3 months after E. multilocularis infection, experimental colitis was induced by administration of 3% DSS in the drinking water for 5 days followed by 4 days of regular tap water. Day 1, 2, 3, 4 indicates the days after tap water. (b) Disease activity index (DAI) changes among groups after 9 days 3% DSS treatment at the end time‐point. Data represents the mean ± SD (n = 15 to n = 18). (c) Colon lengths were determined in individual mice. Data show mean values for each group of mice. (d–g) Individual parameters of histopathological scoring. (d) Lymph follicles in the colon. (e) Increase in granulopoiesis in the bone marrow. (f) Lymphoid structures in the spleen. (g) Extramedullary haematopoiesis in the spleen. Histopathological scores were determined for individual mice by a pathologist according to parameters defined in the Materials and methods section. Columns show mean values for n = 5 or n = 6 mice analysed per group and error bars indicate the SD. One representative experiment out of three independent experiments is shown. HPF, high‐power field; EMH, extramedullary haematopoiesis. *P < 0·05.