Some quantitative aspects of the adoptive transfer of immunity to Plasmodium berghei with immune spleen cells.

Abstract

SYNOPSIS. Some of the parameters concerned in the adoptive transfer of immunity to P. berghei in rats have been studied. Immunity was not transferred efficiently until about 10 days after recovery of donor rats had commenced, but thereafter was very effective, even after the infection appeared to have been sterilized.Animals protected by a standard dose of cells from immune spleens but challenged with different doses of parasites attained a parasitemia of about 5% at different times, but all overcame the infection at the same time.Animals protected by different doses of cells from immune spleens and challenged with a standard dose of parasites, attained a parasitemia of about 5% simultaneously but the time taken to control the infection was inversely proportional to the dose of protective cells.Up to a parasitemia of about 5% there was no difference in the multiplication rate of parasites in control animals, in animals which were not effectively protected and in protected animals. Beyond a parasitemia of about 5% there was no difference in the multiplication rate of parasites in control animals and in animals which were not effectively protected.It is suggested that there is a critical period at a parasitemia of about 5% when the level of the immune response determines the fate of the host. At that stage the immune response may be inadequate, or possibly exhausted, and the parasite will then continue to multiply unchecked. Saturation of reticulocytes with parasites at a level of about 5% total parasitized red cells probably gives the host a respite which may allow the adoptively transferred cells to control the infection.