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Absence of typical Nippostrongylus brasiliensis self-cure in putative BALB/c mice
L F Mayberry1, G A Conder, J R Bristol
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso 79968-0519.
Abstract:
Rejection of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in mice typically occurs by 14 days postinfection (PI). We report here on a putative BALB/c mouse strain from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) animal colony that did not exhibit a normal pattern of self-cure. Following subcutaneous inoculation with approximately 500 third-stage larvae of N. brasiliensis, the parasite was present in substantial numbers in UTEP BALB/c mice on days 21 and 28 PI and in low numbers through day 70 PI regardless of host sex. Normal self-cure was observed using identical techniques in 2 other BALB/c strains and a CFW strain. Hence, the UTEP BALB/c mouse provides a unique tool to examine the immune response to N. brasiliensis.
Insights
A specific BALB/c mouse strain from UTEP failed to reject Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection, persisting for 70 days. This unique mouse model offers new opportunities to study host immune responses to parasitic nematodes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection in mice typically resolves within 14 days post-infection (PI) through a self-cure mechanism.
- The BALB/c mouse strain is commonly used in immunological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an observed anomaly in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis self-cure in a specific BALB/c mouse strain.
- To characterize the persistence of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in BALB/c mice from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) animal colony.
Main Methods:
- Subcutaneous inoculation of approximately 500 third-stage larvae of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.
- Monitoring parasite presence in UTEP BALB/c mice on days 21, 28, and 70 PI.
- Comparative analysis with other BALB/c strains and a CFW strain under identical experimental conditions.
Main Results:
- UTEP BALB/c mice exhibited substantial Nippostrongylus brasiliensis burdens on days 21 and 28 PI.
- Low numbers of the parasite persisted in UTEP BALB/c mice through day 70 PI, irrespective of host sex.
- Normal self-cure patterns were observed in other BALB/c strains and a CFW strain.
Conclusions:
- The UTEP BALB/c mouse strain displays a distinct lack of self-cure against Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.
- This aberrant immune response makes the UTEP BALB/c mouse a valuable model for studying host-parasite interactions.
- Further research using this model can elucidate mechanisms underlying Nippostrongylus brasiliensis rejection.