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The alternative pathway of complement in sheep during the course of infection with Trypanosoma congolense and after Berenil treatment
Author(s) -
MALU M.N.,
TABEL H.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
parasite immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1365-3024
pISSN - 0141-9838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3024.1986.tb01034.x
Subject(s) - parasitemia , biology , trypanosoma , complement factor b , trypanosomiasis , immunology , alternative complement pathway , immune system , diminazene , antibody , complement system , virology , malaria , plasmodium falciparum
Summary Experimental T. congolense infections in sheep resulted in a striking decrease in parameters of the alternative complement pathway (ACP), ie. factor B, C3 and haemolytic complement activity (HA) initiated via the ACP. The levels of factor B, C3 and HA declined before, during and after the first wave of parasitemia which reached a peak at day 8. Levels of 20 to 25% of normal values (factor B) and 20% (C3, HA) persisted throughout the course of the infection. After Berenil treatment, when no parasites were detected in blood, their serum levels remained low. They returned to normal values about 8 (factor B) to 20 days (C3, HA) after trypanocidal treatment. Serum concentrations of factor B were significantly elevated in some, but not all sheep 6 days after infection with T. congolense. The sheep were tested for their potential state of immuno‐modulation by immunization with Brucella abortus 4 days after trypanocidal treatment. In contrast to other sheep, the sheep which had shown early elevated serum factor B levels were found to express immune enhancement. It is suggested that there might be a positive correlation between the degree of enhanced serum levels of factor B at the early stage of infection and enhanced immune responsiveness.