<i>T. gondii</i>-induced ileitis is mediated by MIF that induces severe tissue damage despite efficient parasite control.

<p>(A) Shortening of small intestine of wt and <i>Mif</i>⁻/⁻ mice (n = 6) at 9 days post-infection (dpi). (B) Histopathologycal analysis by hematoxilin and eosin (HE) of terminal ileum was performed at 9 dpi in wt and <i>Mif</i>⁻/⁻. Magnification are ×200 (B1, 2, 5 and 6) and ×400 (B3 and 4). In (C) Histologycal scores of ileal biopsies of wt and <i>Mif</i>⁻/⁻ mice at 9 dpi. The horizontal line limits absence of inflammatory response (0 to 3) and necrosis (above 3). (D) Toxo DNA concentration was determined in ileal biopsies of wt and <i>Mif</i>⁻/⁻ mice. One representative experiment out of three independent experiments. Data from 3 to 6 mice per group is represented by means ± SEM and p values determined by t-test (* p≤0.05, ** p≤0.01). Length of intestinal segments of control not infected wt and <i>Mif</i>⁻/⁻ mice are represented by a dotted line in A. Cont, control not infected.