Development of Brugia malayi in Mongolian gerbils previously exposed to Wuchereria bancrofti

Twelve Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus, were infected with 100 third-stage larvae of Wuchereria bancrofti. One month later these animals, along with 4 control animals, were given 100 third-stage larvae of Brugia malayi. Eleven of the 12 experimental animals and the 4 controls survived, and 8 of the experimental animals and all of the controls demonstrated microfilaremia after 3 months. The animals were killed at 6-months post-infection and examined for parasites. One W. bancrofti larva was found in one of the experimental animals, and 15% of the B. malayi given were recovered as adults from the testes, viscera, and carcass. Thirty-eight percent of the worms given to the controls were recovered from the testes, viscera, and pelt. The worms from the experimental animals also appeared to be smaller. This study suggests that gerbils are able to develop partial resistance to Brugia malayi following a previous infection with Wuchereria bancrofti.