Spleen and lymph node cell populations, In vitro cell proliferation and interferon‐y production during the primary immune response to Toxoplasma gondii

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Abstract
Summary An animal model for the study of transient lymphadenopathy‐splenomegaly during toxoplasmosis is presented. Injection of CBA/J mice with the low virulent, cyst‐forming strain of Toxoplasma gondii (Pe strain) induces a three to four fold increase in weight and cellularity of spleen and lymph nodes with peak changes at 30–50 days after infection. The spleen displays marked haemopoiesis, a 30 fold increase in mononuclear phagocytes, and a two fold increase in Lyt2+ lymphocytes. Lymph nodes show a five fold increase in mononuclear phagocytes and a four and a half fold increase in Lyt2+ T cells. The increase in mononuclear phagocytes significantly alters T cell/macrophage ratios and this is associated with decreases in in vitro cell proliferation to mitogen and toxoplasma antigen. The relationship between alterations in cell balance of mononuclear phagocytes and T cell subsets and the expression of transient immune dysfunction can now be examined by modulating changes in these cell types.