EXPERIMENTAL BOVINE TRYPANOSOMIASIS CHANGES IN SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULINS, COMPLEMENT AND COMPLEMENT COMPONENTS IN INFECTED ANIMALS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 35  (5) , 817-826
Abstract
In 3 calves experimentally infected with Trypanosoma congolense the amounts of Ig[immunoglobulin]G1 and IgG2 were little changed and similar to those of normal animals. IgM increased in amount early in the infection and the amount of the increase appeared related to the parasite burden. The amounts of IgA and IgE were much decreased, and this also appeared related to the numbers of parasites in the blood. There was a decrease in the amounts of total hemolytic complement and complement [C] components C1, C1q and C3 in the infected calves. The amounts of properdin fluctuated with the cyclical changes in numbers of T. congolense parasites in the individual calves. No significant change in the amount of C8 was observed. Activation of the alternative and the classical complement pathways apparently occurs in trypanosome infected animals but neither pathway goes to its terminal stages.