Increased susceptibility of mice with XID mutation to Brugia malayi infection

Infective larvae (L3) of the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi are rapi dly eliminated from immunocompetent mice, while in nude as well as SCID mic e they develop into mature adult parasites. We now report our attempts to i nfect mice with X-linked immunodeficiency with larval stages of B. malayi. CBA/N strain of mice have an XID mutation that renders them deficient in pr oducing of antibodies to T-independent antigens such as polysaccharides whi le they respond normally to protein antigens. Groups of deficient (CBA/N) a s well as normal mice (CBA/CaJ) were infected with L3 stages of B. malayi. About 8 % of the larvae developed into juvenile adults by 45 - 50 days post infection in CBA/N mice while only 0.75 % of worms could be recovered from +/+ mice. There was no significant growth or development of parasites beyon d 50 days in CBA/N mice. On the contrary, worm recovery decreased progressi vely in CBA/N mice after 50 days. Only about 2.6 % and 1.25 % of the worms could be recovered by 90 and 120 days post-infection in CBA/N mice. There w as no significant difference between the two strains of mice in antibody le vels to soluble adult worm antigens, nor in their ability to make antibodie s to the surface of the developing larvae. We propose the use of CBA/N mice for studies on the development of protective immunity to larval stages of the human filarial parasite and for screening potential anti-larval drugs. Med Sci Res 27:135-137 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.