Delayed type hypersensitivity in guinea pig infected subcutaneously with Naegleria fowleri Carter

A soluble fraction, derived from Naegleria fowleri trophozoites disrupted by freeze-thawing, was tested for antigenic properties. Intradermal injections of this preparation were administered to guinea pigs previously infected subcutaneously with viable N. fowleri. Delayed hypersensitivity to the antigen and loss of weight, the diagnostic symptom of visceral naegleriasis, were observed in the surviving animals. Fifty percent of the guinea pigs, however, did not lose weight and had a reduced reaction to the antigen. The apparent differences in the immunocompetence of guinea pigs inoculated subcutaneously and intranasally with N. fowleri are compared.