A rapid, parasite-dependent cellular response to Dirofilaria immitis in the Mongolian jird (Meriones unguiculatus).

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Mongolian jird (Meriones unguiculatus) has long been recognized as a permissive host for the filarial parasite Brugia malayi; however, it is nonpermissive to another filarial parasite, canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis). By elucidating differences in the early response to infection, we sought to identify mechanisms involved in the species-specific clearance of these parasites. We hypothesized that the early clearance of D. immitis in intraperitoneal infection of the jird is immune mediated and parasite species dependent.

Methods

Jird peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) were isolated and their attachment to parasite larvae assessed in vitro under various conditions: D. immitis and B. malayi cultured separately, co-culture of both parasites, incubation before ad

SUBMITTER: Evans CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7788973 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature