Immune response of guinea pigs to Schistosoma mansoni. II. In vitro blastogenesis and macrophage migration inhibition factor production in response to cercarial, adult worm and egg antigens.

Guinea pigs infected with Schistosoma mansoni were tested for in vitro lymphocyte response to schistosome antigens and nonspecific mitogens at various times after infection. Production of macrophage migration inhibition factor by peritoneal exudate cells in response to cercarial, adult, and egg antigens reached a peak between 4 and 8 weeks post-infection and diminished rapidly thereafter. In contrast, peak blastogenic responses of blood lymphocytes appeared later than 8 weeks for all antigens and persisted until at least the 24th week. Blastogenic responses to concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin P were not significantly different in normal and infected animals.