THE EFFECT(S) OF X-IRRADIATION ON THE IMMUNITY OF MICE INFECTED WITH TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Dissertation Abstr.

OSTI ID:4827746

Yarinsky, A

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of whole body x- irradiation on the immunity of mice to Trichinella spiralis. Six experiments were performed. In Experiment I, various doses of irradiation (250 to 650 r), given 24 hr prior to various infections (50 to 200 T. spiralis), were tested for their lethal action. A significant mortality (about 60%) occurred among those given the highest dose of irradiation, and most of the deaths were noted between nine and thirteen days postirradiation. The maximum sublethal dose proved to be 450 r. In Experiment II, mice were irradiated with 50, 250, 450, or 650 r 24 hr prior to a single infection with 200 T. spiralis. No interference was noted in the development of acquired immunity as measured by adult counts at fourteen days, but interference with the maintenance was noted at 20 and 28 days in those exposed to 450 and 650 r. In those showing a normal immune response at the various periods, the body weights showed a pattern of striking weight loss and gain that appeared to be associated with the stresses of the intestinal inflammation thought to be responsible for the development and maintenance of this immunity. In Experiments III to VI, the mice were strongly immunized before being given the irradiation exposure. When this was given 24 hr prior to the challenge infection, in most cases there was no interference in the maintenance of the immunity by 7 days. Again, there was a striking weight loss at a time (4 to 6 days) when it is known that the intestinal inflammation reaches a zenith in previously immunized mice. Soon thereafter, only those showing a normal immune response at later periods showed gain in body weight. In those given the high doses (450 r, 650 r) interference with the immunity was evident at 14 days (one week earlier than in the above mice given only one infection). Recovery of the full immunity was evident within an additional two weeks. Similar results with a 650-r dose were obtained when the irradiation followed the challenge infection by 1, 2, or 3 days. Interference with the immunity was demonstrated at 7 days when the schedule of irradiation was altered so that the 7-day necropsy was equivalent to the 14 day period in the previous experiments. By so doing, the postirradiation period (15 days) was the same. The resulting absence of acquired immunity was accompanied by a striking loss of neutrophils and lymphocytes from the peripheral circulation. The immunity as measured at 7 days was also absent when the postirradiation time was 11 and 19 days, aithough in the latter case the interference appeared to be diminishing. By considering the results at the various postirradiation periods, the body weight data, and the total and differential white blood cell patterns a hypothesis was presented in an effort to explain the demonstrated interfer- ences with the immunity. Hemagglutination test results obtained during the course of the 4 experiments involving previously immunized mice did not appear to reflect the immune status of the hosts. The larval worm recoveries from 3 of 4 experiments suggest that the majority of larvipositing was completed prior to the demonstrated interference with the host's immune response to the intestinal phase of the infection. The data from one of the experiments suggest that interference with the reproductive potential of the female worms and/or a serologic factor may be responsible for the reduction in the numbers of larvae recovered from the musculature.

• Research Organization: Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• NSA Number: NSA-16-021935
• OSTI ID: 4827746
• Journal Information: Dissertation Abstr., Journal Name: Dissertation Abstr. Vol. Vol: 22
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
HEMORRHAGE
IMMUNITY
INFECTIONS
INTESTINE
LARVAE
LEUCOCYTES
LIFETIME
LYMPHOCYTES
MICE
MUSCLES
PARASITES
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RECOVERY
TRICHINELLA
WEIGHT
X RADIATION