[Autoimmune phenomena during Trypanosoma equiperdum inoculation of the laboratory mouse]

In the course of the Trypanosoma equiperdum-infection of mice an increase of IgM antibodies against the autoantigens dsDNA, keratin and collagen as well as against a protozoan foreign antigen consisting of Sarcocystis gigantea-extract could be observed with a maximum level between 4th and 8th day p. i. The IgG-antibodies did not significantly change during the investigation time. A splenomegaly appeared after the infection. The weight of spleen was four times higher than normal. It was suggested that splenomegaly as well as induction of antibodies against several autoantigens and a foreign antigen were due to a polyclonal activation of lymphocytes.