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Brugia pahangi: antibodies and microfilaremias in Lewis rats
Abstract:
Male and female Lewis rats were inoculated subcutaneously in the left groin with 75 infective larvae of Brugia pahangi and microfilaremias were followed for as long as 420 days postinoculation. Patent infections developed in 64% of the female rats and 95% of the male rats. Mean prepatent periods were similar (65.9 and 63.9 days, respectively), but mean microfilaremias in males rose much higher, to a mean of 218 mf/0.25 ml blood at 270 days postinoculation. IgG titers, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), to adult worm somatic antigen were higher than those to microfilariae in almost all rats. For both sexes, the most consistently microfilaremia rats had highest titers to these antigens. Granulomas with degenerating microfilaria were present in the spleen of male rats with high microfilaremias (greater than 100-300 mf/0.25 ml blood). Ouchterlony precipitin reactions suggested that most rats with spleen granulomas responded to microfilarial antigen components to which most rats without granulomas did not. Neither spleen granulomas nor antibody responses measured in this study appeared to have protective (microfi8laremia-lowering) value. As measured by microfilaremias, the male Lewis rat is not as susceptible as some conventional hosts of B. pahangi, but it does consistently become infected and remains microfilaremic for more than a year. Preferential male susceptibility indicates that this model may be useful for studying this aspect of human lymphatic filariasis.
Insights
Male Lewis rats show higher susceptibility to Brugia pahangi infection, developing higher microfilaremias than females. This suggests the male Lewis rat is a valuable model for studying human lymphatic filariasis, particularly sex-based differences in susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Lymphatic filariasis affects millions globally, with varying host susceptibility.
- Brugia pahangi is a key animal model for studying filariasis.
- Understanding host-parasite interactions is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex-based differences in susceptibility to Brugia pahangi infection in Lewis rats.
- To characterize the immune responses and pathological changes associated with infection.
- To evaluate the utility of the male Lewis rat as a model for human lymphatic filariasis.
Main Methods:
- Lewis rats (male and female) were inoculated with Brugia pahangi infective larvae.
- Microfilaremia levels were monitored for up to 420 days post-inoculation.
- IgG antibody titers were measured using ELISA, and spleen granulomas were examined histopathologically.
Main Results:
- Male rats exhibited higher patent infection rates (95%) and significantly higher microfilaremia levels compared to female rats (64%).
- Higher IgG titers to adult worm and microfilarial antigens were observed in consistently microfilaremic rats.
- Spleen granulomas containing degenerating microfilariae were found in male rats with high microfilaremia, suggesting a localized immune response.
Conclusions:
- Male Lewis rats demonstrate preferential susceptibility to Brugia pahangi, making them a suitable model for studying sex-dimorphism in filariasis.
- Neither observed antibody responses nor spleen granulomas conferred protective effects against high microfilaremia.
- The male Lewis rat model offers insights into host-parasite dynamics relevant to human lymphatic filariasis.
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