Role of interferon in resistance and immunity to protozoaProduction of interferon (I) in response to protozoan infection, and the interferon-mediated inhibition of parasite replication were studied in order to determine if these effects may be related to immunologic-mediated resistance of the hosts. Two extracellular parasites-Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Naegleria fowlei were used. Upon infection with the trypanosome, only resistant strains of mice produced I. An early peak of alpha/beta I is followed by appearance of gamma I, which coincided with antibody production and a drop in parasitemia. In case of the amoeba, pretreatment of its suspension with alpha/beta I inhibits its replication in vitro, and appears to protect mice from the infection and the disease. It is proposed that production of interferon, with its regulatory effect on the immune responses, may play a major role in regulating the processes of protozoan-caused diseases.
Document ID
19850059948
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Sonnenfeld, G. (Louisville Univ. KY, United States)
Degee, A. L. W. (Louisville Univ. KY, United States)
Mansfield, J. M. (Louisville Univ. KY, United States)
Newsome, A. L. (Louisville Univ. KY, United States)
Arnold, R. R. (Louisville, University KY; Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States)