The reactivity of spleen cells from malarious rats to non-specific mitogens.

The reaction of spleen cells from rats infected with Plasmodium berghei to non-specific mitogens has been measured. The cells have been stimulated in vitro by phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin-A and by bacterial lypopolysaccharide. In addition the release of lymphocyte activating factor (LAF) by splenic macrophages has been assayed using a heterologous thymocyte culture. The reactivity of spleen lymphocytes from malarious rats is severly affected. The cells do not react either to the T cell-specific mitogens or to the B-cell stimulant. The reactivity of macrophages, as measured by the release of LAF, was not altered by the disease.