Effects of 60Co irradiation on virulent Toxoplasma gondii and its use in experimental immunization.

The effects of 60Co irradiation on the virulence and immunogenicity of the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii was studied by infecting batches of mice with graded inocula of tachyzoites that had been exposed to radiation doses ranging from 0 to 20 000 rad. While doses of 15 000 and 20 000 rads appeared to be effective, and 10 000 rad nearly effective in annulling the virulence, irradiation at 5000 rad was only partially effective in rendering the organisms avirulent and could achieve only a prolongation of survival time of the inoculated mice. The survivors of higher irradiation inocula showed no evidence of the development of the parasite in them, but could resist a limited virulent challenge. The use of a booster inoculation improved both the quality and the duration of protective effect.