Immunological Tolerance Studies with Mice and Trichinella

Abstract

An experimental alteration of the relationship between white mice (Fairfield-Webster) and Trichinella spiralis was attempted. Newborn mice were injected (intracardiac) with ES antigen (excretions and secretions of cultured larvae) or sonicate antigen (sonicated larvae). Analysis of adult and larval worm burdens after a sublethal challenge (200 larvae) 6 weeks postpartum, indicated no induction of tolerance as compared to suitable control mice. Intracardiac injection of newborns with ES antigen also had no significant effect on the subsequent ability of mice to acquire resistance through infection to a sublethal challenge. ES and sonicate antigens were also evaluated in adult mice sensitized by intraperitoneal injections of these antigens and given a sublethal challenge; only ES antigen showed significant immunogenic properties.