Immunosuppression associated with visceral leishmaniasis of hamsters

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Abstract
Immunosuppression was demonstrated during the course of Leishmania donovani infection of outbred and inbred hamsters. Proliferative responses of splenic lymphocytes to the mitogen concanavalin A (Con A) and to promastigote antigens were used as indicators of immune responsiveness. Although splenic lymphocyte proliferative responses to parasite antigens were demonstrable 3 wk after challenge, antigen specific lymphocyte responses diminished as the infection progressed. Two types of immunosuppression were demonstrable. The 1st was a nonspecific anergy of splenic lymphocytes to Con A stimulation. Spleen cells from infected animals did not actively suppress the Con A responses of normal lymphocytes in mixed cultures. A 2nd immunosuppression mechanism, specific for leishmania antigens was mediated by a nylon wool nonadherent cell population. The suppressor, tentatively identified as a T cell population, inhibited the proliferation of parasite antigen sensitized responder lymphocytes in mixed culture. Elimination of the parasite burden by glucantime therapy restored responsiveness of lymphocytes to parasite antigens. Con A responses remained suppressed 1 wk after drug cure.

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