Lysosomal enzymes in the spleen of albino rats, mice and Mastomys natalensis during Plasmodium berghei infection.

Activities of certain acid hydrolases of the spleen were followed in three different rodents during the course of Plasmodium berghei infection. In albino rats where sterile immunity against the infection develops, the specific activities of a few acid hydrolases first declined then increased from day 7 and showed a several-fold increase over control values when there were no detectable parasites in peripheral circulation. In contrast, in Mastomys natalensis and albino mice which succumb to infection the levels of these enzymes were reduced throughout the course of infection. These results indicate a close correlation between host resistance to infection and the level of lysosomal enzymes in spleen.