ALTERATION OF AMICROFILAREMIA IN DIPETALONEMA-VITEAE INFECTED HAMSTERS WITH IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS

Abstract

D. viteae-infected hamsters with amicrofilaremic infections were subjected to immunosuppressive therapy. Methyl prednisolone acetate caused the most severe recrudescence of microfilariae, while cyclophosphamide caused a low level, transient microfilaremia. Saline injected control hamsters remained amicrofilaremic. Neither drug influenced the number of adult worms recovered at necropsy in the treated hamsters compared with control hamsters.