Immunity to malaria and piroplasmosis in mice following low level infections with Anthemosoma garnhami (Piroplasmea: Dactylosomidae)

Abstract

Mice which have recovered from infections with A. garnhami do not succumb to; challenge with the piroplasms B. rodhaini or B. microti and over half such animals are protected against the malaria parasites P. v. vinckei and P. v. chabaudi. This protection does not extend to the malaria parasites P. b. berghei or P. b. yoelii. Mice which have recovered from infections with the piroplasms are protected against A. garnhami, as are those which have recovered from infections with P. v. vinckei or P. v. chabaudi. About half the mice which have recovered from infections with P. b. berghei or P. b. yoelii are also protected against A. garnhami. This interaction between intra-erythrocytic protozoa may influence the incidence of these parasites in the wild. A. garnhami is unlikely to be of any use in the immunization of humans against malaria but could be of use in the protection of cattle against piroplasmosis.