The immunological response of the rat to infection with Taenia taeniaeformis. II. Characterization of reaginic antibody and an allergen associated with the larval stage.

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  • 1 August 1974
    • journal article
    • Vol. 27  (2) , 209-25
Abstract
Skin sensitizing antibody or reagin was detected in rats 19 days after infection with Taenia taeniaeformis eggs. Peak titres were reached on day 32 and thereafter declined. A second dose of eggs was capable of increasing the levels of circulating reagin, even though it was highly unlikely that the embryos had survived more than a transient period of time in the intestinal mucosa. The physicochemical and biological characteristics of this reagin are consistent with those of the rat immunoglobulin designated γE. In no instance was it possible to demonstrate short-term skin sensitization by the rat 7Sγ2a immunoglobulin class, even though previous work had shown that antibodies of this type are produced during infection. All short-term reactivity at 2-6 hours appeared to be a result of reaginic antibody fixation. Reagins were not observed to cross the placenta or be transferred by the colostrum from highly immune females to their offspring. The role of reagin in passive and specific acquired resistance to T. taeniaeformis is discussed and the mechanisms whereby it might be contributing to immunological events in this infection are outlined.