Immunity to Plasmodium berghei in rats: maximum levels of protective antibody activity are associated with eradication of the infection

Abstract

Maximum levels of protective antibody activity were reached in the circulation of rats given a primary infection or one or two re-infections of Plasmodium berghei at the time the infection was finally eradicated. This association of maximum protective antibody activity with complete clearance of the parasite was also found in recipients of lymphoid cells from immune donor rats and suggests that a high level of protective antibody activity is one essential factor in complete elimination of the parasite.Excellent technical assistance was given at different times by Mrs J. Page, Mr A. J. Edwards and Miss D. Leader.