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Growth of pleomorphic Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense in irradiated inbred mice
1Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27514.
Abstract:
It was shown that irradiation (650 rad) of 7 inbred strains of mice did not block the ability of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense to transform from the long slender (LS) to the short stumpy (SS) form or alter the plateau in parasitemia. In addition, it was observed that significant differences in parasitemia levels, in the rate of transformation from the LS to the SS form, as well as in the survival times occurred between the irradiated C3HeB/FeJ and several of the other strains. These differences in the nonspecific ability to control parasitemia appeared to be characteristic for each inbred strain of mice. The resistant strains generally had lower parasitemia than the susceptible strains. However, it was also shown that there is not a one-to-one correlation between the innate ability of a mouse strain to control its initial parasitemia, and the strain's ability to clear the parasitemia or increase its survival time. It was therefore concluded that the hypothesis which states that the ability of an animal to increase nonspecifically the rate of transformation, and therefore to lower the parasitemia, allowing intact animals to respond immunologically and survive longer is either incorrect or incomplete. The results further show that the ability of mice to clear their initial parasitemia by an antibody response is not necessarily correlated with their survival time. Therefore, this study suggests that factors other than an antibody response and the nonspecific control of parasitemia are important in resistance.
Insights
Irradiation did not affect Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense transformation in mice. However, distinct inbred mouse strains showed varied parasitemia control and survival, suggesting factors beyond antibody response influence resistance.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense transforms between long slender (LS) and short stumpy (SS) forms.
- Parasitemia control and host survival are critical in trypanosomiasis.
- Inbred mouse strains exhibit varying susceptibility to infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of irradiation on Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense transformation.
- To assess differences in parasitemia and survival among inbred mouse strains.
- To evaluate the correlation between parasitemia control, transformation rate, and survival time.
Main Methods:
- Irradiation of 7 inbred mouse strains with 650 rad.
- Infection with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense.
- Monitoring parasitemia levels, transformation rates (LS to SS), and survival.
Main Results:
- Irradiation did not inhibit Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense transformation or alter parasitemia plateau.
- Significant differences in parasitemia, transformation rate, and survival were observed among mouse strains.
- Resistant strains generally exhibited lower parasitemia than susceptible strains.
- No one-to-one correlation was found between initial parasitemia control and survival time or clearance ability.
- Antibody response for initial parasitemia clearance did not correlate with survival time.
Conclusions:
- The hypothesis that increased transformation rate nonspecifically lowers parasitemia for improved survival is incomplete or incorrect.
- Factors other than antibody response and nonspecific parasitemia control are crucial for host resistance to Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense.
