Fig. 4
Histological alteration of optic nerve in A. cantonensis-infected mice after different treatments. a-f: Electron microscopy images of optic nerve, scale bar = 1 μm. ↑ points to myelin sheath; ★ marks axon. a: normal group. The myelin sheathes and axons are intact. b: infected group by A. cantonensis (21 dpi). Demyelination (red ↑) and impaired axons (red ★) can be observed. c: Albendazole (AB) treatment for 7 days after 14 dpi with A. cantonensis. Demyelination become lessened, but still can be observed. d: Albendazole combined with Dexamethasone (AB + De) treatment for 7 days after 14 dpi with A. cantonensis. Demyelination become lessened, but still can be observed (red ↑ and ★). e: Albendazole combined with CPT treatment for 7 days after 14 dpi with A. cantonensis. The myelin sheathes regain intact structure (red ★), but swelling can be observed in axons (red ). f: Albendazole combined with TSII-A treatment for 7 days after 14 dpi with A. cantonensis. Demyelinated axons almost recover to intact structure (red ↑ and ★). Scale bar = 1 μm. g: Data are mean ± SEM of axon numbers in different treatment groups for 7 days after 14 dpi with A. cantonensis, respectively. *Statistically significant when compared with control (0 dpi); # statistically significant when compared with 21 dpi; △ statistically significant when compared with albendazole treatment group, ▲ statistically significant when compared with albendazole combined with Dexamethasone treatment group; ★ statistically significant when compared with albendazole combined with CPT treatment group. n = 3 per group, with 5 fields analysed per section. P < 0.05