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Immunity to monomorphic Trypanosoma brucei: humoral response
The Journal of Parasitology
|February 1, 1976
Summary
Drug-cured rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei produce IgM antibodies and maintain B-cell, T-cell cooperativity. Berenil (diminazene) prophylaxis lasts about 28 days, allowing for a secondary IgG response upon rechallenge.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Trypanosoma brucei infections trigger immune responses, including antibody production.
- Berenil (diminazene) is used to treat trypanosome infections.
- The interplay between infection, treatment, and adaptive immunity requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antibody response in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei and treated with Berenil.
- To determine the duration of Berenil prophylaxis.
- To assess the impact of drug-induced cure on B-cell and T-cell cooperativity.
Main Methods:
- Induction of Trypanosoma brucei infection in rats.
- Treatment with a minimum curative dose of Berenil (diminazene).
- Monitoring antibody production (IgM and IgG) post-treatment and after rechallenge.
Main Results:
- Rats treated with Berenil produced trypanosome-agglutinating IgM antibodies.
- Berenil prophylaxis was effective for approximately 28 days.
- Rechallenge with homologous Trypanosoma brucei elicited an IgG response, suggesting intact B-cell and T-cell functions.
Conclusions:
- Cure of Trypanosoma brucei infection with Berenil leads to the formation of specific IgM antibodies.
- The immune system retains functional B-cell and T-cell cooperativity after Berenil treatment, as evidenced by the IgG response upon rechallenge.
- Berenil offers a protective prophylactic period of around 28 days against homologous Trypanosoma brucei strains.