IMMUNOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF INTESTINAL HELMINTH INFECTIONS IN C57BL MICE. THE EFFECTS ON LYMPHOID TISSUE AND RETICULOENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION

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Abstract
The characteristics of primary Nematospiroides dubius, mouse-adapted Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and Trichuris muris infections in C57BL mice and their broad effects on lymphoid tissue and reticuloendothelial function have been compared in an attempt to identify correlations between the effects of the parasites and common features of their life cycles. All three parasites increased the size of the spleen and mesenteric node, roughly in proportion to the intestinal worm burden. N. brasiliensis and T. muris caused thymic atrophy, which was not evident with N. dubius even when it was administered intravenously (i.v.) to establish a tissue migration phase. N. brasiliensis accelerated the clearance of I125-labelled polyvinyl pyrrolidone (I125-PVP) from the circulation by increasing uptake by the liver and lungs. N. dubius caused similar increases when given i.v., suggesting that macrophages in these organs are activated by migrating larvae, but did not affect the levels of I125-PVP in circulation. An established intestinal N. dubius infection increased the levels in circulation and in peritoneal cells.