title: Effects of a commercial malathion dip preparation on the cellular and humoral immune response of BALB/c mice.
abstract: Because of the widespread use of malathion as a treatment for ectoparasitism, a study was undertaken to determine the effects of a malathion dip preparation on the BALB/c mouse immune system. Mice were treated with either 2% (recommended dosage) or 8% solutions of malathion or a water control. The cellular immune response was evaluated by in vitro exposure of lymphocytes to mitogens, and the humoral immune response was assessed by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Responses to the mitogens and to the SRBC were not significantly different between 2% and 8% malathion treated and water treated mice. Results indicated that malathion did not affect these two aspects of the mouse immune system when used as a 2% or 8% dipping solution.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, MS 39762.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Relford
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ainsworth
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Harkness
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008294:Malathion / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D008294:Malathion