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Protection of mice against Babesia, and Plasmodium with BCG

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Abstract

Babesia spp. are haemoprotozoans, and some cause diseases of considerable economic importance in cattle. Complete protection against challenge has been recorded only in animals recovered from artificial1 or natural infections with a virulent strain of the organism. We have achieved the same result with B.microti and B.rodhaini, two of the species which parasitise mice, by previous infection with Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin). Evidence is provided that neither antibody specific for surface antigens of the parasites nor increased phagocytic capacity is responsible for this protection. We suggest that BCG protects by increasing the release of non-antibody soluble mediators of immunity postulated to cause the death of B.microti inside red cells2. Preliminary observations on protection against Plasmodium berghei yoelii and P.vinckei are also presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cell Pathology, Clinical Research Centre, Watford Road, Harrow, UK

    I. A. CLARK & A. C. ALLISON

  2. Department of Zoology, University of London, Strand, London, WC2, UK

    F. E. Cox

Authors
  1. I. A. CLARK
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  2. A. C. ALLISON
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  3. F. E. Cox
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CLARK, I., ALLISON, A. & Cox, F. Protection of mice against Babesia, and Plasmodium with BCG. Nature 259, 309–311 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/259309a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/259309a0

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