[The effect of copper on immune responses in guinea pigs with experimental ascariasis]

A subchronic effect of copper on selected immunological parameters was studied in guinea pigs with experimental ascariosis (Ascaris suum). CuSO4 given orally for 28 days moderately increased T and B cells in the animal lymphoid organs. CH50 and AH50 complement levels remained unchanged during CuSO4 administration. A subsequent infection of subchronically intoxicated guinea pigs caused a repeated insignificant stimulation of B cell values while the percentage of T cells was not increased. On the contrary, the complement levels increased significantly in intoxicated infected animals, namely CH50 levels from day 5 to day 15 and AH50 levels from day 1 to day 7 post infection. No statistically significant differences were observed in comparison with infected non-intoxicated guinea pigs. The lean intensity of infection evoked by A. suum larvae migrating in the lungs of intoxicated animals was 29% lower than in control.