Studies on Dipetalonema vitae (Filarioidea). II. Antibody dependent adhesion of peritoneal exudate cells to microfilariae in vitro.

Peritoneal exudate cells from normal uninfected hamsters adhered in vitro to microfilariae in the presence of 19S antibody fractions from hamsters which had suppressed or were going to suppress their microfilaremia. The adhering cells were predominantly mononuclear, although eosinophils were occasionally found. Experiments with sensitized microfilariae and peritoneal exudate cells indicated that the macrophage probably recognizes the microfilariae/antibody complex. Macrophage cytophilic antibodies did not seem to be involved. This adhesion reaction may initiate the trapping of microfilariae in vivo, thus contributing to the observed acquired immunity to circulating microfilariae in the hamster.