Immunity to primary and challenge infections of Trichinella spiralis in mice: a re-examination of conventional parameters

Abstract

In young (6- to 8-week-old) NTH strain inbred mice expulsion of a primary infection of Trichinella spiralis began on day 8 and was virtually complete by day 11·5. In older mice expulsion occurred 1 or 2 days earlier. Experience of a primary infection elicited strong immunity to challenge, whether the challenge was given immediately after worm expulsion (day 14) or delayed (day 42). Challenge infections were expelled rapidly, the majority of worms being lost during the first day. Immunity to challenge was elicited by low-level primary infections and was effective against large challenge infections. These results are discussed in relation to conventionally accepted parameters of immunity to T. spiralis in mice which, it is considered, are applicable only to mice with a genetically-determined low-level of responsiveness to the parasite.