EFFECT OF COPPER ON THE IMMUNE-RESPONSES OF GUINEA-PIGS WITH EXPERIMENTAL ASCARIOSIS

A subchronic effect of copper on selected immunological parameters was studied in guinea pigs with experimental ascariosis (Ascaris suum). C uSO4 given orally for 28 days moderately increased T and B cells in th e animal lymphoid organs. CH50 and AH(50) complement levels remained u nchanged during CuSO4 administration. A subsequent infection of subchr onically intoxicated guinea pigs caused a repeated insignificant stimu lation of B cell values while the percentage of T cells was not increa sed. On the contrary, the complement levels increased significantly in intoxicated infected animals, namely CH50 levels from day 5 to day 15 and AH(50) levels from day 1 to day 7 post infection. No statisticall y significant differences were observed in comparison with infected no n-intoxicated guinea pigs. The lean intensity of infection evoked by A . suum larvae migrating in the lungs of intoxicated animals was 29% lo wer than in control.