Effect of glucan immunomodulator on the immune response and larval burdens in mice with experimental toxocarosis.

Glucan immunomodulator, combined with immunoglobulin and zinc (GI), was tested in mice infected with Toxocara canis for its effects on the immune response and parasite recovery. Infection with 2 500 T. canis eggs per mouse induced a short-term depression of the proliferative response of T cells to phytohemaglutinin from Day 35 to a Day 49 post infection (p.i.). GI given in two doses at the start of the experiment markedly stimulated and restored cell proliferation at Days 21-63 p.i. Infection resulted in significant increase in specific circulating antibody level at Days 21 and 35 p.i. A striking reduction in the number of T. canis larvae, after GI administration was observed in the muscles of the GI-treated mice, compared with the untreated animals.