Acanthocheilonema viteae (Dipetalonema viteae) in mice: Attempts to correct the low responder phenotype of the BALB/c host

Abstract

Attempts were made to correct the low responder phenotype of microfilaraemic Acanthocheilonema viteae ( Dipetalonema viteae) infected BALB/c mice through the transfer of immune spleen cells and immune serum from amicrofilaraemic B10 background mice. The transfer of immune cells and serum prior to infection failed to influence development of microfllaraemia in BALB/c recipients. Attempts to alter the course of an established microfilaraemia in BALB/c mice through the transfer of 3 × 10 7 immune spleen cells were unsuccessful but transfer of 3 × 10 8 cells reduced microfilaraemia temporarily. Treating microfilaraemic BALB/c mice with immune serum brought about a rapid reduction in microfllaraemia. This effect was only temporary and numbers of circulating microfllariae returned to control levels within a short time. Repeated serum transfers reduced the microfilaraemia only during the period of treatment. Similar results were obtained when immune serum was given to microfilaraemic, immunodeficient CBA/N mice.