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Tropical Medicine & International... Feb 1998To determine mitogenic and antigen-specific cellular immune responses of two species of rodents, viz. Meriones unguiculatus and Mastomys coucha to assess the usefulness...
OBJECTIVE
To determine mitogenic and antigen-specific cellular immune responses of two species of rodents, viz. Meriones unguiculatus and Mastomys coucha to assess the usefulness of the A. viteae/Mastomys model for cellular immune studies in experimental filariasis.
METHODS
Lymphocyte blast transformation test (LTT) using spleen cells of normal and A. viteae infected animals.
RESULTS
The proliferative response of gerbils was much higher than that of Mastomys to both ConA and filarial antigens. Cells of both species of rodents did not respond to microfilarial (mf) antigen, however, their mitogenic response differed during infection. Some degree of nonspecific suppression was observed in gerbils during prepatent and patent stages of infection, while Mastomys revealed highest proliferation during patent microfilaraemia. Mastomys cells did not respond to adult or mf antigen, while adult-specific proliferation was detected in the case of gerbils.
CONCLUSION
The A. viteae/gerbil model shows more similarity to human filarial infection regarding cellular immune response. Markedly low responsiveness of a high percentage of Mastomys and wide variations in the cellular response to nonspecific mitogen limit the usefulness of Mastomys coucha in immunological studies, especially cellular immunity.
Topics: Animals; Antigens, Helminth; Dipetalonema; Dipetalonema Infections; Disease Models, Animal; Gerbillinae; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunity, Cellular; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Microfilariae; Muridae
PubMed: 9537274
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3156.1998.00161.x -
Tropical Medicine & International... Jun 1997CDRI Compound 92/138, a synthetic analogue of aplysinopsin, was evaluated in experimental filarial infections, Litomosoides carinii in cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus)...
CDRI Compound 92/138, a synthetic analogue of aplysinopsin, was evaluated in experimental filarial infections, Litomosoides carinii in cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and Acanthocheilonema viteae in Mastomys coucha. The compound killed 63.8 and 90% of adult L. carinii and A. viteae at doses of 30 and 50 mg/kg (i.p.) respectively given for 5 days. By the oral route, at 100 mg/kg for 5 days the compound caused 50.9 and 57% mortality of adult L. carinii and A. viteae, respectively. At 200 mg/kg administered orally on days 0, 10 and 25 post-infection, it reduced establishment of adult A. viteae by 68.5%. We also found 43.7 and 37.8% effect in vivo respectively on L3 and L4 stages of A. viteae at a single dose of 250 mg/kg, p.o. The compound was active in vitro at 100 micrograms/ml concentration and caused a significant decline in MTT reduction and 14C-glucose uptake by adult filariids. Thus synthetic marine aplysinopsin could provide a new pharmacophore for the development of antifilarial agents.
Topics: Animals; Dipetalonema Infections; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Filariasis; Filaricides; Filarioidea; Imidazoles; Indoles; Male; Muridae; Sigmodontinae
PubMed: 9236820
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3156.1997.d01-321.x -
Tropical Medicine & International... Jan 1997Three species of rodents were immunized with 50 irradiated (35 krad) stage-3 larvae (L3) of the filaria Acanthocheilonema viteae and challenged with an infection of...
Three species of rodents were immunized with 50 irradiated (35 krad) stage-3 larvae (L3) of the filaria Acanthocheilonema viteae and challenged with an infection of normal L3. The immunization induced a significant reduction of the worm burden developing from the challenge infection in all host species, the jird (Meriones unguiculatus), the multimammate rat (Mastomys coucha) and the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). The induced resistance was highest in jirds (92.5 +/- 9.7) followed by golden hamsters (59.4 +/- 26.6) and multimammate rats (55.1 +/- 40.4). The time course of antibody response against antigens of L3, adult worms and microfilariae, as studied by ELISA, showed quantitative and qualitative differences between the species. The antibody response against L3 antigens in immunoblots was similar in all species. Only one of the golden hamsters developed an antibody response against the surface of vector derived L3, while sera of jirds and multimammate rats did not react with L3 surface.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Helminth; Cricetinae; Dipetalonema; Dipetalonema Infections; Female; Gerbillinae; Male; Mesocricetus; Muridae; Rodent Diseases; Vaccination
PubMed: 9018308
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3156.1997.d01-129.x -
The Journal of Biological Chemistry Jan 1996Acanthocheilonema viteae is a parasitic nematode of rodents. We identified the chitinase of A. viteae infective stage larvae (L3) as the main target of the humoral... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Acanthocheilonema viteae is a parasitic nematode of rodents. We identified the chitinase of A. viteae infective stage larvae (L3) as the main target of the humoral immune response of jirds, which were protected against challenge infection after vaccination with irradiation attenuated L3. The cDNA of the L3 chitinase has been sequenced, and the deduced amino acid sequence shows significant homologies to chitinases of Brugia malayi microfilariae, insects, yeast, bacteria, and Streptomyces sp. The protein has been characterized by monoclonal antibodies and substrate activity gels. The chitinase of L3 may contribute to degrading the nematode cuticle during molting and thus represents a target of protective immune responses in a phase where the parasite is highly vulnerable. In addition, it has been shown that a similar enzyme exists in uterine microfilariae, which probably has a role in casting the egg shell.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Helminth; Bacteria; Base Sequence; Brugia malayi; Chitinases; DNA, Complementary; Dipetalonema; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Gerbillinae; Insecta; Microscopy, Immunoelectron; Molecular Sequence Data; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Streptomyces; Ticks; Uterus; Vaccination
PubMed: 8576136
DOI: 10.1074/jbc.271.3.1441 -
The Canadian Veterinary Journal = La... Oct 1993In late November 1991, 1883 clinics in Canada were sent a questionnaire to assess the status of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in 1991 and there was a 60.0% response. There...
In late November 1991, 1883 clinics in Canada were sent a questionnaire to assess the status of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in 1991 and there was a 60.0% response. There were 344,031 dogs tested for heart-worm (HW), 627 were found infected and the prevalence of HW infection was 0.18%. There were 417 dogs with HW in Ontario, 116 in Manitoba, 38 in Quebec, 53 in British Columbia, three in Alberta, and one in Nova Scotia. In British Columbia, all of the infected dogs but one were from the Okanagan valley which, as from 1991, is a new focus of infection in Canada. Most dogs with HW had not been on preventive medication in 1990, and the prevalence among dogs tested and unprotected was 0.59%. That prevalence was considerably higher in endemic areas. Companion dogs, over three years of age and maintained primarily outdoors in rural areas, were most frequently infected. One cat was diagnosed with D. immitis and 33 dogs had Dipetalonema reconditium.
PubMed: 17424311
DOI: No ID Found -
The American Journal of Tropical... Sep 1989Clinical and biological evaluations were carried out on 84 Congolese patients with parasitologically confirmed Loa loa filariasis (without concurrent infection with...
Clinical and biological evaluations were carried out on 84 Congolese patients with parasitologically confirmed Loa loa filariasis (without concurrent infection with other filariae) and on 98 controls without filariasis. On the patients, 72 presented with microfilaremia; another 12 with negative blood tests were seen towards the end of an episode of subconjunctival migration of the adult worm. The incidence and severity of the clinical signs depended upon the method of recruitment. The 3 most common signs were pruritus and edema (both occurring in successive acute episodes affecting mainly the hands and forearms) and subconjunctival migration of adult filariae. Papulovesicular eruptions were located mainly on the arms. Headaches and arthralgia were noted more frequently than in the controls. No relation was found between the ABO blood groups and loiasis. Eosinophilia (higher in patients with symptoms) and raised serum IgE levels were found in nearly all patients and were strongly marked in approximately 66%. A positive correlation was observed between these 2 parameters. Fluorescent antibody levels (adult filaria Dipetalonema viteae antigen) were comparatively low in patients with microfilaremia.
Topics: ABO Blood-Group System; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Antibodies, Helminth; Child; Congo; Edema; Eosinophilia; Female; Filariasis; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Loa; Loiasis; Male; Microfilariae; Middle Aged; Pruritus; Skin Tests
PubMed: 2679158
DOI: No ID Found -
Immunology May 1988Monoclonal antibodies were produced following immunization of mice with live infective larvae of Brugia malayi. One of these, 46.08.76, is an antibody that promotes...
Monoclonal antibodies were produced following immunization of mice with live infective larvae of Brugia malayi. One of these, 46.08.76, is an antibody that promotes adherence of mouse peritoneal macrophages and human peripheral blood leucocytes to the infective larvae of B. malayi and Wuchereria bancrofti, respectively, and kills them. Fresh normal serum, as a source of complement, augments this effect. The same monoclonal antibody conferred 89% protection to jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) against challenge infection of B. malayi stage-three larvae. This monoclonal antibody recognizes antigens of 80,000, 67,000, 52,000 and 36,000 MW proteins present among the antigens of larvae, as detected by an immunoblotting technique. The antibody also reacts with antigens of infective larvae of Litomosoides carinii, Dipetalonema viteae and B. pahangi, but to a smaller extent.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibody Specificity; Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; Antigens, Helminth; Brugia; Cross Reactions; Filariasis; Gerbillinae; Immunization, Passive; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microfilariae; Molecular Weight
PubMed: 3384450
DOI: No ID Found -
Immunology Dec 1986The anti-phosphoryl choline antibody responses of resistant and susceptible strains of mice infected with microfilariae of Dipetalonema viteae or the gastrointestinal...
The anti-phosphoryl choline antibody responses of resistant and susceptible strains of mice infected with microfilariae of Dipetalonema viteae or the gastrointestinal nematode parasite Trichinella spiralis were determined. The responses were characterized both in terms of their kinetics and the constituent role played by each immunoglobulin heavy-chain class. Infection with either parasite elicited detectable responses in all strains investigated. However, the kinetics of the response of each heavy-chain class within each strain could vary independently. Furthermore, differences were observed between the responses of inbred mouse strains that differ in their ability to control infection. It was not possible, however, to correlate these differences in the serological response with the ability of these animals to control infection. The results are discussed in relation to attempts to improve serological diagnostic assays.
Topics: Animals; Choline; Dipetalonema Infections; Filariasis; Immunoglobulins; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Phosphorylcholine; Trichinellosis
PubMed: 3804381
DOI: No ID Found -
Infection and Immunity Jun 1986Jirds with prepatent Dipetalonema viteae infections develop an acquired immunity to challenge infections. The objective of the present study was to observe...
Jirds with prepatent Dipetalonema viteae infections develop an acquired immunity to challenge infections. The objective of the present study was to observe parasite-specific and nonspecific cellular and humoral immune responses in immune jirds. Splenic hyperplasia was observed in infected jirds during the first 5 weeks of infection. Antigen-reactive spleen cells were observed in the lymphocyte transformation assay at 3 weeks postinfection. A depressed response to concanavalin A (ConA) was seen at 1 week postinfection through week 5. Mitomycin C-treated cells from infected jirds were capable of suppressing the response of normal cells to ConA. Sephadex G-10-nonadherent spleen cells from infected jirds showed elevated responses to D. viteae antigen at 1, 3, and 5 weeks and elevated responses to ConA at 3 and 5 weeks. Filaria-specific antibodies were seen at 1 week postinfection, and titers rose through week 5. Plaque-forming cell production to sheep erythrocytes was not depressed in infected jirds. It was concluded that jirds react immunologically with both cellular and humoral responses during the prepatent period of D. viteae infection. A concurrent immune depression was seen. Its effect on resistance and tolerance remains to be determined.
Topics: Animals; Antibody Formation; Antigens, Helminth; Dipetalonema; Dipetalonema Infections; Filariasis; Gerbillinae; Immunity, Cellular; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Spleen; Splenomegaly
PubMed: 3710584
DOI: 10.1128/iai.52.3.742-747.1986 -
Immunology Jan 1986In vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to study immune protective mechanisms against larval Dipetalonema viteae. Jirds infected with 30 third-stage larvae (L3)...
In vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to study immune protective mechanisms against larval Dipetalonema viteae. Jirds infected with 30 third-stage larvae (L3) of D. viteae for 1, 3 or 5 weeks showed significant killing of challenge larvae implanted for 2 weeks in diffusion chambers. A retardation of larval growth was seen 7 days after larval implantation, and larval death was observed beginning at 10 days. When L3 were placed in vitro with peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from normal jirds, cellular adherence was seen starting on Day 4, and larval death was seen on Day 10. It was concluded that larvae had to undergo some development in vitro, that would allow cellular adherence to larval surface. Larvae, recovered after 7 days in vivo or in vitro, were placed in culture with normal PEC; cell adherence and worm death occurred at equal rates for both groups of worms. Larvae which had been in culture for 7 days were implanted in immunized jirds for 7 days. Significant killing of these worms was observed, whereas larvae recovered from ticks prior to implantation were not killed. In vivo and in vitro results therefore show that larval development is required for generating susceptibility to specific and/or non-specific immune reactions. A hypothesis is suggested for the function of larval retardation.
Topics: Animals; Ascitic Fluid; Cell Adhesion; Dipetalonema; Dipetalonema Infections; Filariasis; Gerbillinae; Immunity, Innate; In Vitro Techniques; Larva; Male; Ticks
PubMed: 3943876
DOI: No ID Found