Effect of immune serum on Brugia malayi microfilaria: ultra structural observations

The in vitro effect of immune monkey serum on microfilariae of Brugia malayi was investigated using the electron microscope. The sheaths of microfilaria incubated with immune serum were seen to be covered with electron dense precipitates. After 24 hours of incubation, majority of microfilariae incubated with immune serum exhibited degenerative changes. Comparable changes were not seen in microfilariae incubated with normal serum. The significance of these observations are discussed.