title: Echinococcus granulosus: changes in the transformational behaviour of murine lymph node cells during early infection.
abstract: Subcutaneous inoculation of living Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices (PSC) caused blastic transformation in local lymph node cells (LNC). The effect was maximal seven days post-infection (p.i.), had declined by day 21, and was prevented by killing the PSC prior to inoculation. LNC from inoculated mice also showed marked enhancement of blastogenesis in response to a secondary stimulation by live PSC in vitro. This secondary reaction occurred after exposure to living or killed PSC. There was generally enhanced reactivity to T- and B-cell mitogens at day 7. Phytohaemagglutinin was exceptional in that the killed parasite caused early changes in reactivity as above, but the live parasite induced a rise at 56 days p.i. It is concluded that E. granulosus may cause a determinate change in T-cell function.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D006736:Horses; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008934:Mitogens; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008934:Mitogens