Experimental infection with Ancylostoma caninum larvae in mice. V. Serum protein pattern during infection with various doses.

Serum protein patterns of Swiss albino mice during Ancylostoma caninum infection with varying dose levels were studied electrophoretically. There was a significant decrease in albumin associated with a corresponding increase in beta globulin in all the infected groups. Gamma globulin decreased significantly in all groups except the one infected with a challenge dose of 4000 larvae. Maximum changes occurred on day 31, 15, 9, 15 and 6 when mice were infected with 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 larvae, respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between albumin and the infective doses and a positive correlation between beta globulin and the infective doses and among the changes caused by different infective doses.     

Effect of melatonin on 24h changes in plasma protein levels during the preclinical phase of Freund's adjuvant arthritis in rats

The 24h rhythms in plasma protein concentration were examined in rats on the third day after injection of Freund's complete adjuvant or adjuvant's vehicle, performed 3h after light on. In rats treated with adjuvant's vehicle, peak values of albumin and gamma globulin occurred during the nocturnal activity span (P < .02 and P < .0001, respectively), while those of alpha-1, alpha-2, and beta globulins were found late during the rest span (P < .002, P < .0001, and P < .0004, respectively). Freund's adjuvant administration abolished temporal changes in plasma albumin and beta globulin levels. It also decreased the amplitude of daily changes in alpha-1 and alpha-2 globulin (P < .05) and diminished mean values of alpha-2 globulin (P < .01). Pretreatment of rats with melatonin (30 microg daily) for 11 days, 11h after light on, counteracted mycobacterial adjuvant-induced suppression of the 24h rhythms in albumin and alpha-1, alpha-2, and beta globulins. The results further support the existence of preventive properties of a pharmacological dose of melatonin in situations in which a lost of circadian rhythmicity is expected.     

Serum protein profile of mice during infection with of Ancylostoma caninum and after the administration of tetramisole and levamisole

Serum protein changes in mice following Ancylostoma caninum larval infection were observed as decrease in albumin, gamma globulin and increase in beta globulin. These serum protein components showed a tendency to return back to their normal levels after the administration of effective anthelmintic such as tetramisole or levamisole to the infected mice. The increased level of beta globulin after treatment although decreased but did not return to its normal level within 14 days observation period.     

An electrophoretic characterization of serum proteins of the collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu)

Serum proteins of the collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis for wild adult males and females, nursing young, and reproductively-active females in captivity. Electrophoretic profiles of the adult peccary showed at least six distinct protein bands corresponding to the fractions: albumin, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2, and gamma globulin. Globulin fractions of the peccary had different mobilities from the domestic swine. The only sexual dimorphisms were associated with the beta globulin:albumin ratio and the albumin:globulin ratio. Ingestion of colostrum in 1-day-old neonates was marked by a very large increase in gamma globulins. The only significant difference between pregnant and lactating females was in the alpha globulin:beta globulin ratio. Lactating females had higher concentrations of alpha-2 globulin than non-pregnant females.     

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: physiological and metabolic responses of rats to primary infection

Primary infection of rats with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis was associated with alterations in host protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Infected rats fed ad libitum were compared with uninfected, weight matched, pair fed rats. Metabolic changes detected were related to the level of infection (larvae/g body weight) and also the time course of development of the parasite. The intestinal stage of the infection was associated with marked catabolism of skeletal muscle which did not appear to be mediated by increased secretion of corticosteroids. Plasma concentrations of protein in infected rats were altered even at the lowest dose (27 l/g), and in a biphasic manner corresponding to larval and adult stages of the parasite. Plasma globulin concentrations were increased on Day 2 after infection while from Days 5-10 after infection, plasma concentrations of both globulin and albumin were much reduced. Hypoglycemia developed on Days 8-9 after infection in rats given a dose of greater than or equal to 39 l/g. Infected rats had increased plasma concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids and in marked contrast with their pair fed partners, plasma triglyceride concentration increased dramatically with both the dose of parasites given and the duration of infection. The responses of the rat to infection with N. brasiliensis are compared with host responses to other helminths and microorganisms, and suggestions are made as to their possible functions and significance.     

Lead and immunity: II. Suppression of humoral immune response to Hymenolepis nana in mice.

Serum protein changes in mice treated for varying durations with lead nitrate and subsequently infected with 1000 H. nana eggs were compared with their counterpart controls, only treated and only infected groups. Decreased values of beta and gamma globulins in all the experimental groups along with higher worm recoveries indicate suppression of humoral immune response by lead in association with higher worm recoveries indicate suppression of humoral immune response by lead in association with the cellular components since these globulins are known to contain antibodies. Lead treatment for a duration of 45 days proved to be most effective in suppressing the immune response.     

The effects of Trichinella spiralis infection on social interactions in mixed groups of infected and uninfected male mice

The presence of Trichinella spiralis infection in groups of male mice caused behavioural changes in both infected and uninfected mice. Also, for some behaviours, the extent of behavioural change in infected mice appeared to be determined by the number of muscle larvae they harboured. Infected mice showed a reduced frequency of exploratory and social behaviours compared with uninfected mice while uninfected mice performed more social investigatory activities towards those that were infected. Social interactions between infected and uninfected mice were also affected by familiarity. Behavioural differences shown to result from infection in mice familiar with each other were similar but more pronounced when the mice were unfamiliar. These results suggest that other factors may influence the behavioural effects of parasites on their hosts. For some behaviours, the greatest alterations in behaviour apparently caused by infection coincided with the period of infectivity to another host. The significance of this in relation to parasite transmission is considered.     

Experimental infection of Nematospiroides dubius in Swiss albino mice. VII. Worm burdens and serum protein fractions

The paper deals with the alterations in serum protein profiles and its possible correlation with the worm burden in Swiss white mice infected with single and repeated doses of N. dubius infective larvae. Marked changes observed in serum protein fractions in all the groups were found to be further raised with increase in dose levels. However, maximum (optimal) changes of different fractions depend on the total number of larvae inoculated irrespective of the number of inoculations given. Percentage of worm retention was found to be inversely proportional to the number of larvae inoculated. Worm expulsion during repeated infections was attributed to the therefore, participation of increased amount of immunoglobulins and, humoral immunity (immediate type) has been suggested to play a major role in the immune mechanism of this model.     

Helicobacter hepaticus infection triggers inflammatory bowel disease in T cell receptor alphabeta mutant mice

The T cell receptor alpha chain-deficient (TCR alpha-/-) and TCR beta chain-deficient (TCR beta-/-) mice develop chronic intestinal inflammation that resembles inflammatory bowel disease by 3 to 4 months of age. The objective of the study reported here was to determine the role of infection with the bacterial pathogen Helicobacter hepaticus in the pathogenesis of disease in TCR alphabeta mutant mice. The H. hepaticus-infected TCR alphabeta mutant mice were rederived by use of embryo transfer to produce Helicobacter-free animals. Helicobacter-free TCR alpha-/-, TCR beta-/-, and TCR alpha-/- beta-/- mice were inoculated with H. hepaticus. Experimentally infected mice and uninfected control mice were examined for intestinal lesions at 3, 6, and 9 months after inoculation. The TCR alphabeta mutant mice inoculated with H. hepaticus developed intestinal epithelial cell hyperplasia and mucosal inflammation. By 6 months after inoculation, infected animals had moderate cecal and colonic lesions. Helicobacter-free TCR alpha-/- mice, but not TCR beta-/- or TCR alpha-/- x beta-/- mice, also developed H. hepaticus-independent colitis by 9 months after inoculation. Infection with H. hepaticus is sufficient to cause chronic proliferative intestinal inflammation in TCR alphabeta mutant mice. However, H. hepaticus infection is not necessary for intestinal disease in TCR alpha-/- mice.     

The effects of Trichinella infection on intersexual interactions between mice

Parasitic infection may influence mating behaviour in at least two ways: (1) by creating a selection pressure for mate choice based on apparent resistance to infection and (2) by reducing the likelihood of an infected individual mating through induced changes in its physiology or behaviour. These two possibilities were tested using a nematode infection in laboratory mice. Female CFLP mice were infected with larvae of the aphasmid nematode Trichinella spiralis and allowed to interact with uninfected males which were either experienced or inexperienced in term of having previously copulated. Both the responses of males towards infected and uninfected females and the responses of females towards males were recorded. Overall, males were significantly less likely to mount, copulate and show other behaviours related to copulation with infected females. When experienced and inexperienced males were considered separately, experienced males showed significantly more investigatory activity towards infected females, but infection did not appear to affect responses by inexperienced males. Infected females were more likely to avoid or respond aggressively to attempts to mount by males and the latency to the first attempt to mount correlated positively with the frequency of avoidance/aggression towards approaching males. The results suggest that infection in females influences intersexual interactions by inducing a disinclination to accept mounts and copulate. The functional implications for parasite transmission are considered.     

Experimental infection of Nematospiroides dubius in Swiss albino mice. IX. Effect of dose break up on the serum protein patterns

The present study concerns with the effects of larval inoculation with either a single dose or two or more spaced doses of 200 larvae on the serum protein profiles. No significant difference occurred in the various fractions among the three groups indicating that the total quantity of antigenic stimulation in the most important factor in eliciting such changes, no matter whether the dose is given once or spaced in two or three small doses. Serum protein fractions of Swiss albino mice undergoing experimental infection of Nematospiroides dubius do not tend to rise further due to repeated exposures in comparison to those that received a challenge dose only (1). Hence, experiments were designed to ascertain whether there is any difference in serum protein patterns due to breaking up of the infective dose into two or three spaced doses of N. dubius larvae.     

Serum protein changes in immune and nonimmune pigeons infected with various strains of Trichomonas gallinae

Serum protein changes were studied in immune and nonimmune pigeons infected with three different strains of Trichomonas gallinae. Strain I (nonvirulent) produced no change in the relative concentration of serum components. Strains II (oral canker) and III (Jones' Barn) produced decreases in albumin and alpha globulins, and increases in beta and gamma globulins between the 7th and 20th days post infection. Birds infected with strain II began to return to normal by the 20th day, while all those infected with strain III were dead between 10 and 14 days post infection. Two serum protein patterns resulted from infection of immune birds with the Jones' Barn strain. One showed no change in relative protein concentrations and no tissue invasion by the parasite while the other was similar to that seen in nonimmune birds infected with a strain producing oral canker. These also showed evidence of tissue invasion by the parasite. It was concluded that tissue invasion was necessary to evoke a quantitative change in serum protein concentrations.     

Influence of primary infection on the population dynamics of Nematospiroides dubius after challenge infections in mice

Dobson C., Sitepu P. and Brindley P. J. 1985. Influence of primary infection on the population dynamics of Nematospiroides dubius after challenge infections in mice. International Journal for Parasitology15: 353–359. Similar proportions of the inoculum of Nematospiroides dubius larvae reached sexual maturity by 14 days after administration of 50–400 larvae but more adult worms had been expelled by day 63 after infection from those mice infected with 50 vs 400 larvae. There was a significant correlation between time and worm expulsion for all inoculum size groups except for mice given 400 larvae.In mice reinfected with 100 larvae, after termination of primary infections derived from 10 through 400 larvae, more worms from the challenging dose were recovered from mice given greater compared with those given smaller numbers of larvae at primary infection. The N. dubius population size after challenge infection was correlated positively both with number of larvae administered as the primary infection and with the resultant population size during that infection. The serum anti-N. dubius antibody titres after reinfection were higher in mice given 400 compared with those given fewer larvae at primary infection, and the fecundity and female to male sex ratio of the N. dubius populations decreased in proportion to these antibody titres.Protective immunity against challenge N. dubius infection, in mice which had been drenched free of adult worms established from 400 larvae for 5 down to 1 weeks before reinfection, increased from 45% (1 week) to 80% (5 weeks). There was a negative correlation between the population size of N. dubius during challenge infection and the duration between anthelmintic treatment and challenge infection.     

IL-10 prevents liver necrosis during murine infection with Trichinella spiralis

Infection with Trichinella spiralis rarely leads to significant morbidity. In this study, we show that IL-10 knockout mice infected with this parasite develop extensive areas of coagulative necrosis in the liver, and newborn larvae are required for lesion formation. Histopathological examination revealed that the hepatic inflammatory infiltrate was mixed but dominated by eosinophils. Accordingly, infected IL-10 knockout mice displayed a marked eosinophilia. IL-10 was expressed during infection in mesenteric lymph node populations and liver tissue. Analysis of cytokine profiles revealed a codominant expression of type 1 and 2 mediators that was enhanced in the absence of IL-10. Additionally, CD11c(+) MHC class II(+) cells were increased in mesenteric lymph nodes of IL-10 knockout mice, suggesting a possible link between IL-10 and dendritic cell trafficking. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in mortality or parasite burdens between the strains of mice, indicating that IL-10 is necessary to control the host's inflammatory response but does not impact establishment of the parasite. Expression of IL-10 appears to be an adaptation used by the liver to protect itself from damage caused by migrating newborn larvae.     

Effects of infection by larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda, Metastrongylidae) on the metabolism of the experimental intermediate host Biomphalaria glabrata

The effect of infection by Angiostrongylus cantonensis on the activity of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the concentration of total proteins, uric acid and urea in the hemolymph of Biomphalaria glabrata were investigated. The snails were dissected after 1, 2 and 3 weeks of infection to collect the hemolymph. The infection by A. cantonensis induced severe changes in the host snail's metabolism, triggering physiological mechanisms to minimize the deleterious effects caused by the larvae. There was a significant decrease in the concentration of total proteins in the infected snails, which occurred gradually as the infection advanced. This change was accompanied by an increase in the concentrations of urea and a decrease in the levels of uric acid in the hemolymph, suggesting that in this model the infection induces proteolysis and inversion of the excretion pattern of the infected snails. Besides this, variations in the activities of the aminotransferases were observed, with significantly higher levels in the infected groups than in the control group. These results indicate an increase in the protein metabolism of the infected snails, since there was an increase in nitrogen catabolites such as urea.     

Schistosoma mansoni: induction of severe glomerulonephritis in female BXSB mice following chronic infection

C57BL/6 (B6) and female BXSB mice were infected with 10 cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni per head in order to examine whether chronic parasite infection induced glomerulonephritis (GN) with polyclonal B-cell activation. Six months after the infection, mice were sacrificed and various immunological and histopathological examinations were performed. The following results were obtained. (1) Severe GN was induced in parasite-infected female BXSB mice. The renal changes were similar to those of male BXSB mice which spontaneously develop lupus-like GN. No substantial renal changes were observed in infected B6 mice. (2) Massive IgG and C3 deposits were found in capillary loops and also at the mesangial area of infected BXSB mice. No significant IC deposits were found in the kidney of infected B6 mice. (3) A high level of IC was detected in sera of some parasite-infected female BXSB mice, though no significant difference in the level of IC was found between infected and control mice. (4) Numbers of spleen IgG-producing cells were significantly increased in infected B6 mice. Infected female BXSB mice with splenomegaly showed higher numbers of IgGPC than uninfected mice, but there was no difference between the groups. These results suggest that genetic backgrounds played an important role in the development of lupus-like GN following the chronic infection of parasite-causing polyclonal B-cell activation.     

Hybridoma antibody immunoassays for the detection of parasitic infection: development of a model system using a larval cestode infection in mice

A prototype immunodiagnostic assay has been developed using chronic infection with the larval cestode, Mesocestoides corti, as a model system in mice. The assay is highly sensitive, it appears to be absolutely specific for M. corti infection, and is based on the inhibition of binding (by sera from infected mice) of a radiolabelled anti-M. corti hybridoma antibody to a crude M. corti antigen extract. The hybridoma antibody binds to living M. corti larvae and is an IgG1 protein. In large scale experiments no false positives were detected and the only M. corti-infected mice not detected by the assay were hypothymic nude (nu/nu) mice. Only limited success has been achieved in attempts to convert the assay to one not requiring parasite antigen and based on the inhibition of binding of radiolabelled anti-parasite hybridoma antibody and a large pool of anti-idiotype antiserum. Monoclonal antibodies derived from anti-parasite antibody-secreting hybridoma cell lines will be of particular use in the development of new, highly specific, immunodiagnostic reagents for the detection of parasite infection, exposure and disease.     

Strongyloides stercoralis: oral transfer of parasitic adult worms produces infection in mice and infection with subsequent autoinfection in gerbils.

Oral transfer of parasitic adult Strongyloides stercoralis produced patent infections in gerbils, C57BL/6J and SCID mice. In gerbils receiving adult worms, 7.3% of the transferred worms established and autoinfective L3 were found beginning on day 5 post-transfer, with peak numbers seen on days 6 and 7 post-transfer and few seen by 9 days post-transfer. These results suggest that development of autoinfective L3 in the gerbil is limited by the immune response of the host. When given orally to mice, between 7.2% (C57BL/6J) and 19.5% (SCID) of the adult worms established. These levels are higher than those previously obtained by the subcutaneous infection of SCID mice with infective larvae. No autoinfective larvae were found in infected mice and the ratio of L1/adult worms was small compared with that seen in gerbils. Thus, mice infected orally can be used as a model to study the interaction between the adult worm and the host, and since autoinfection has not been seen in the murine model, as developed to date, orally infected mice may be useful as a model to study mechanisms preventing autoinfection.     

烟青虫核型多角体病毒的复制和染病后血淋巴蛋白的变化

用烟青虫(Hiliothis assulta)核型多角体病毒感染5龄初烟青虫幼虫,以染病后24、48·,72、96/120小时分别测定了虫体血淋巴蛋白浓度的变化。幼虫染病后24小时血淋巴蛋白浓度要高于同期对照组,72小时后染病幼虫血淋巴蛋白浓度较对照急剧下降。在染病及对照血淋巴样品中电泳分析(PAGE)三种蛋白(普通蛋白、糖蛋白和脂蛋白)均可分别染出22条、3条和3条带。分析结果表明,在虫体正常生长代谢过程中发生变化的主要蛋白可能大多为糖脂复合蛋白,但病毒的侵染能抑制这些变化的产生。电镜观察染病毒后幼虫的中肠组织和气管上皮组织,发现中肠染病轻微,不形成多角体。气管上皮细胞感染情况表明其属于对NPV感染较为敏感的组织之一,并在虫体染病后的病毒二次感染上可能起着重要作用。     

Biochemical Changes in Serum of Pure and Mixed Streptococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis Infections in Rats

Rats inoculated with Streptococcus faecalis developed endocarditis and demonstrated a 6- to 30-fold increase in aldolase, isocitric dehydrogenase, phosphohexose isomerase, and lactic dehydrogenase. The animals infected with Bacillus subtilis did not develop overt disease nor significant increases in enzyme activities, but viable organisms were recovered at 2 weeks. Rats inoculated with mixed culture of these organisms showed a 2- to 10-fold increase of enzyme activities without evidence of pathological anatomic changes. Both organisms were recovered at necropsy. The total protein and glycoproteins followed the patterns of enzyme activities. There were major changes in alpha(1), alpha(2), and beta globulins and glycoglobuulins at the early stages of infection. The protein-bound hexose changes coincided with the severity of S. faecalis infection, but were at normal levels after 72 hr of infection of B. subtilis and S. faecalis mixed infections. The results indicate that B. subtilis infection modified the pathogenicity of S. faecalis and by an unknown mechanism affected protein and glycoprotein production in serum of experimental rats.