COMPARISON BETWEEN THE OCCURRENCE OF T-CELLS AND B-CELLS IN THE LYMPHOID ORGANS OF GUINEA-PIGS AFTER HEAVY-METAL INTOXICATION AND EXPERIMENTAL ASCARIOSIS

The effect of subchronic intoxication with mercury, copper and with bo th the metals concurrently on T- and B-cells was studied in guinea pig s with experimental ascariosis. A 28-day oral administration of HgCl2 alone or together with CuSO4 reduced significantly the T- and B-cell p opulation in the animals lymphoid organs almost for the entire experim ent. In contrast, CuSO4 alone moderatly stimulated the level of both t he immunocompetent cells. A subsequent infection of HgCl2 - exposed an imals and a concurrent administration of HgCl2 and CuSO4 increased the levels of T- and B-cells, but these levels were significantly lower t han the T- and B-cell levels in infected untreated animals. Infection of CuSO4 - treated guinea pigs caused no response of T- cells and B-ce lls were, significantly reduced. Compared with controls, the mean inte nsity of infection with Ascaris larvae migrating in the lungs of intox icated animals increased by 16% after treatment with HgCl2 and by 18.7 % after concurrent administration of HgCl2 and CuSO4, but it decreased by 29% in CuSO4 - treated guinea pigs.