IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES IN RELATION TO THE SUPRARENAL GLAND

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Abstract
Bilateral suprarenalectomy in rats lowers the resistance to a subsequent infection with T. lewisi. Almost 70 per cent of these rats die within an average period of 5.8 days after infection. The multiplication of the parasites in the circulating stream is not more considerable than in rats previously normal nor is the duration of the disease in the surviving rats any longer than in the normal group. Bilateral suprarenalectomy does not prevent the formation of immune substances to the parasites but appears to lower the natural resistance of the rat to the toxic effects of the protozoan infection. The acquired immunity to T. lewisi of normal rats as a result of infection is not broken down by subsequent suprarenalectomy. Unilateral nephrectomy does not affect the course of a subsequent infection with T. lewisi.