The cellular proliferative response, humoral antibody response, and cross reactivity studies of Tetrahymena pyriformis with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in juvenile carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).
The immune response of 10-12-week-old juvenile carp to T. pyriformis [CCAP 1630/w, 1939 (w)] was investigated. The humoral antibody response following one and two intraperitoneal injections of whole live T. pyriformis (protein concentration of 25 micrograms/g body weight), separated by an interval of 4 weeks, was monitored over 12-16 weeks. Peak antibody titres were detected 6 weeks following antigen administration. Antibody titres were elevated following the second injection, and relatively high levels were still maintained by week 16. Proliferative responses measured by autoradiography following intraperitioneal injection of methyl 3H thymidine (1-2 microCi/g body weight) were recorded in the pronephros, opisthonephros, and spleen at weekly intervals for 4 weeks following each injection of T. pyriformis. Immunised fish had higher counts than nonimmunised controls, with the greatest counts occurring at 2 and/or 3 weeks following one injection of antigen and 2 weeks following two injections. Activity was recorded prior to peak antibody production with the pronephros and opisthonephros having greater proliferative responses than the spleen. Cross antigenicity studies to examine protection of carp against I. multifiliis following administration of T. pyriformis, showed little evidence in support of protection using this strain of T. pyriformis. Further, antisera raised in either carp, rabbits, or rats failed to show any cross antigenicity between these two species of protozoa.
Houghton
G
G
Department of Biological Sciences, Polytechnic South West, Plymouth, England.
Healey
L J
LJ
Matthews
R A
RA
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002347:Carps / Q000276:immunology*; D016770:Ciliophora Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D016803:Hymenostomatida / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013769:Tetrahymena pyriformis / Q000276:immunology*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines