The effects of selective immunosuppression on resistance to Mesocestoides corti in strains of mice showing high and low initial susceptibility.

Previous work has shown that C57BL/6 mice had the lowest initial susceptibility to Mesocestoides corti of six strains of mice examined. Parasite burdens in this strain and in CBA/H mice, a strain showing a higher initial susceptibility to M. corti, were compared following selective immunosuppressive treatments. Irradiation, splenectomy and the administration of cyclophosphamide and methyl prednisolone all resulted in higher parasite burdens in C57BL/6 mice. In contrast these treatments had a minimal effect on parasite burdens in CBA/H mice. In the light of these results the role of antibody in controlling parasite proliferation is discussed.