Hymenolepis citelli (Cestoda) and Nematospiroides dubius (Nematoda): interspecific interaction in mice

In mice concurrently infected with Hymenolepis citelli and Nematospiroides dubius, survival of the tapeworm was prolonged, and there was an impairment of the efferent arm of the response to the cestode. The immunological rejection of a six cysticercoid primary H. citelli infection was delayed by the N. dubius infection. The growth of the cestode was poorer in concurrently infected mice, and this effect was rapid, being evident within 4 days of the N. dubius infection. Maximum biomass in the controls was reached on Day 20, whereas in the concurrently infected mice it was reached on Day 25. The induction of acquired immunity to homologous H. citelli infection was suppressed, although the expression of a secondary response against homologous challenge was not abrogated in doubly infected mice. The results are discussed with reference to the immunodepressive effects the nematode is known to have on heterologous antigenic stimulation.