ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION AGAINST MALARIA PARASITE PLASMODIUM BERGHEI IN MICE - IMMUNIZING INOCULUM

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (3) , 293-301
Abstract
In the immunization procedure of Swiss and C3H/StZ mice against P. berghei the inoculum plays an important role. Only viable parasites are able to induce immunity when multiple inoculations (105 PE[parasitized erythrocytes]/mouse) or a single inoculation (1-4 .times. 107 PE/mouse) are administered. The inoculated PE should enter the vascular system. The s.c. route is inappropriate, since subsequent immune reactions are notably absent. In combination with a given suppressive regimen successful immunization depends on an optimum number of viable PE in the inoculum. All conditions that affect the proportion of viable parasites in the inoculum (route, storage, medium, temperature, donor) should be recognized and controlled. The actual immunizing capacity of the inoculum depends on the magnitude and time of initiation of sulfathiazole treatment after inoculation. Suppressive treatment (300 mg/l) starting 2 days after inoculation was optimal in order to render the procedure less sensitive to small differences in the number of PE inoculated. Conditions which lead to antimalarial immunity are apparently strain-specific.