Studies on immunity to Babesia gibsoni in dogs immunostimulation by Bordetella bronchiseptica

Four species of bacteria, Corynebacterium anaerobium 578, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae G-4, Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and Bordetella bronchiseptica A-2, were injected intravenously into mice (5 weeks old, ICR-SPF). The clearance of carbon from the blood stream and the weights of the spleen and liver were determined as indicators of RES stimulation. Mouse footpad reaction was assessed as an indicator of delayed-type hypersensitivity to each species of bacteria. The immuno-stimulative activity of each species of bacteria against bovine serum albumin was monitored by passive hemagglutination assay and the macrophage migration-inhibition test in guinea pigs. Based on the results of the experiments described above, B. bronchiseptica was selected as an immunostimulator (Ims) for immunization trials of the hemo-protozoan parasite, Babesia gibsoni, with inactivated merozoites of B. gibsoni (BgK). Twelve dogs, pointers about 6 months old, were divided into four groups of three dogs each. Group 1 dogs were initially injected with Ims, and later injected with BgK and Ims (BgK+Ims) after a 3-week interval. Group 2 and Group 3 dogs were injected twice, at a 3-week interval, with BgK+Ims and BgK, respectively, and Group 4 served as a control. As the results, the serum antibody titres of Group 1 and 2 were several times higher than that of Group 3, and the cell-mediated immunity to parasites was noticeably stimulated by immunization with BgK+Ims. The peak level of parasitemia following the challenge were over 10% for Group 4 and 4.5% for Group 3, while levels for Group 1 and 2 were 2.5% and less than 1%, respectively. No such major clinical signs of babesiosis as jaundice and anemia were observed in Group 1 or 2.