Antibody-containing cell response of sheep to intestinal infusion of killed Brucella abortus cells

Abstract

The antibody-containing cell (ACC) output in efferent ileal lymph was used to monitor the immune response of sheep to killed Brucella abortus cells infused into the ileum. Infusion of Br. abortus cells resulted in a substantial output of ACC beginning 4 days after the start of infusion. Peak levels of ACC were detected at Day 6 when 25 × 10 5 ACC/h were discharged into lymph. A second infusion of Brucella cells resulted in an enhanced response. During the first response approximately equal numbers of IgA- and IgM-ACC were produced, but during the second response IgA-ACC predominated. Infusion of Br. abortus cells simultaneously with DEAE-dextran substantially enhanced the response. Peak levels of ACC of 100 × 10 5 ACC/h were recorded 6 days after the start of infusion. ACC were equally distributed among the IgM and IgA classes. Histological examination of tissues showed that a large number of ACC were in the lamina propria of the ileum while only scattered ACC were found in the ileal lymph node.