Suppression of autoimmune disease in New Zealand mice associated with infection with malaria. II. NZB mice.

The onset of a positive Coombs test was significantly delayed in NZB mice infected with at the age of 1 month. At the age of 12 months, twelve out of fourteen malaria-infected NZB mice had become Coombs positive but their reticulocyte counts and mean spleen weight were significantly lower than those of control NZB mice of the same age. Malaria infection of young NZB mice was associated with a significant increase in mean 24-hr urine protein excretion which fell gradually over the next 6 months. A secondary rise in urine protein excretion then occurred and at 12 months several malaria-infected NZB mice had severe renal disease. No increased incidence of malignant disease was observed in NZB mice infected with malaria.