Competition among Serologically Different Clones of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in vivo*

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
When different antigenic variant clones are injected in equal numbers into white mice, 1 variant clone always replaces the other. This phenomenon appears to be a predictable one, even under conditions analogous to a chronic infection. A constant ratio is apparently approached between the number of cells of different antigenic serotypes present in a single population in such a manner that there is always a major antigenic variant and minor populations of different antigenic variants. These ratios can undergo rapid changes in response to changes in the environment, such as nutritional status of the host, changes in body temperature and antibody synthesis. The changes in these ratios are discussed in relation to the mechanism(s) of antigenic variation.