Trichinella infestation in mice genetically selected for high and low antibody production.

Mice genetically selected according to their capacity to produce antibodies (high and low responder lines) were infested with Trichinella spiralis. High responder mice produced much higher levels of IgE and gamma1 serum antibodies than low responder mice. IgG and IgM antibodies were detected by immunodiffusion analysis or passive haemagglutination only in animals of the high responder line and in very low concentrations. The number of living larvae present in the muscles was very similar in the animals of both lines 30, 60 or 75 days after infestation.