Thymus graft reconstitution of T-cell-deprived mice infected with Trypanosoma musculi.

T-cell-deprived CBA mice were given thymus graft implants during the course of an infection with Trypanosoma musculi and at a time when the parasitaemia was high. As a consequence of the grafts, most of the mice survived the infection whereas control ungrafted mice died. In grafted animals there was generally a period of 60-80 days after grafting during which time parasitic numbers remained high, and a further period of 200 or more days when trypanosomes were still detectable in the circulation. The mice were highly variable in their responses and possible reasons for this are considered.