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Hypothesis for the long term survival of Taenia pisiformis cysticerci in rabbits

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Summary

Three experiments are described which provide support for an hypothesis explaining the ability of Taenia pisiformis larvae to survive in a host which will resist a challenge infection. It is proposed that when oncospheres enter an immunologically naive rabbit they develop rapidly in the liver and reach a stage which is resistant to antibody before specific immunoglobulin is produced in substantial quantities. They become coated with antibody, which may subsequently act as “blocking” antibody interfering with the effector arm of cell-mediated immunity, which has developed more slowly. As long as the cysticercus has this antibody coat it is able to survive. Following a challenge infection with oncospheres, the anamnestic antibody response is sufficiently rapid to kill the developing metacestodes before they reach the antibody-resistant stage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Veterinary Clinical Centre, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia

    Michael D. Rickard

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  1. Michael D. Rickard
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Rickard, M.D. Hypothesis for the long term survival of Taenia pisiformis cysticerci in rabbits. Z. F. Parasitenkunde 44, 203–209 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00328762

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00328762

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