Specific humoral immunity versus polyclonal B cell activation in Trypanosoma cruzi infection of susceptible and resistant mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The etiologic agent of Chagas Disease is Trypanosoma cruzi. Acute infection results in patent parasitemia and polyclonal lymphocyte activation. Polyclonal B cell activation associated with hypergammaglobulinemia and delayed specific humoral immunity has been reported during T. cruzi infection in experimental mouse models. Based on preliminary data from our laboratory we hypothesized that variances in susceptibility to T. cruzi infections in murine strains is related to differences in the ability to mount parasite-specific humoral responses rather than polyclonal B cell activation during acute infection.

Methodology/principal findings

Relatively susceptible Balb/c and resistant C57Bl/6 mice were inoculated with doses of parasite that led to similar timing and magni

SUBMITTER: Bryan MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2897841 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature