Intraspecific cross-protection in mice immunized with irradiated Schistosoma mansoni cercariae.
Several laboratory-maintained strains of Schistosoma mansoni were tested for their relative immunogenicity or susceptibility to anti-schistosome immunity in irradiated cercaria-immunized mice. A total of 11 strains and substrains were used; 7 were of Puerto Rican origin, 3 from Brazil, and 1 from Egypt. Mice were immunized by percutaneous exposure to 50-krad-irradiated cercariae. Immunity was assessed following challenge with cercariae of the homologous or a heterologous strain. The results showed that the choice of either the challenge or immunizing strains was not critical in the development of significant levels of protection. Extensive degrees of cross-protection developed in all intrastrain combinations tested.
D000818:Animals; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D007110:Immunity, Active; D007114:Immunization; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000276:immunology*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000276:immunology*