Investigations of transfer factor activity in resistance toTrichostrongylus colubriformisinfections in guinea-pigs

Abstract

ABSTRACTResistance to challenge infection withTrichostrongylus colubriformiswas studied in an outbred strain of guinea-pigs. Resistance was conferred by previous infections of 50 or 100 infective larvae and by intraperitoneal, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of dialysed transfer factor prepared from guinea-pigs infected withT. colubriformis, by intraperitoneal administration of transfer factor prepared from the blood of sheep infected withT. colubriformisand on one of three occasions using transfer factor prepared from guinea-pigs which had not been infected withT. colubriformis. No significant resistance was transferred by administration of antigen prepared from adultT. colubriformis, or by non-dialysed transfer factor, or by dialysed transfer factor prepared fromT. colubriformis-infected guinea-pig tissue which had been stored for several months at −20°C.