IMMUNE ABNORMALITIES IN GUINEA-PIGS WITH ASYMPTOMATIC CONGENITAL-SYPHILIS

Spleens from 1-20-wk-old guinea pigs infected in utero with Treponema pallidum and age-matched controls, born to normal and heat-killed (56 degrees C, 2 h.) T. pallidum-injected mothers, were examined for their in vitro lymphoproliferative response to phytohemagglutinin, concanav alin A, and lipopolysaccharide. Additionally, T cell surface markers ( mu-chain, pan T, CD4, and CD8) were determined in spleen, lymph node, and peripheral blood from 10-wk infected and normal pups by single and dual parameter fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. Compared with control animals, congenitally infected animals showed a remarkabl e prolonged naive-type of immune response as reflected by the higher ( p < 0.01) proliferative responses to both T cell mitogens (up to 20 wk of age), and the weaker response to the B cell mitogen, significantly different (p < 0.01) at 10 wk of age. As opposed to controls, in all organs examined the level of CD8(+) (cytotoxic/suppressor) T cells was significantly diminished (p < 0.01); consequently, the CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly elevated (p < 0.05). The role of C4 complement compo nent and the nature and potential role of the immature T and B lymphoc yte responses in asymptomatic congenital syphilis is discussed.