Dipetalonema viteae in hamsters: effect of antiserum or immunization with parasite extracts on production of microfilariae

Abstract

SummaryAfter hamsters have been infected with Dipetalonema viteae for about 4 months, microfilariae disappear from the circulation but the adult worms remain alive and active. Such hamsters are said to harbour a ‘latent’ infection. Additional adult worms implanted into such hamsters produce no microfilariae, but adult worms recovered from hamsters with latent infections resume microfilariae production when surgically transplanted into new hosts. In vitro, worms from hamsters with latent infections renewed microfilariae production in the presence of serum from uninfected but not infected hamsters. Serum from infected animals had a marked suppressive effect on the microfilariae production of adult worms implanted into passively immunized hamsters. This suggests that microfilarial release is regulated by a serum factor. Microfilarial production in in vitro and in vivo experiments was more strongly inhibited by serum taken from hamsters with latent infections and hamsters infected for only 30 days (pre-patent) than by serum taken 90 days after infection (whilst microfilariae were in the circulation of the serum donors). A cytotoxic effect of sera from infected hamsters on the microfilariae could not be demonstrated.In animals immunized by extracts of adult worms or microfilariae, microfilaraemia was considerably reduced. In contrast, animals immunized repeatedly with the extract from small numbers of microfilariae during the pre-patent phase of an infection had an enhanced microfilaraemia. Adult worm numbers were not affected by immunization except in animals given extract from a single female worm which harboured fewer worms than controls.