Immunization of mice against Trichinella spiralis and T. britovi using excretory and secretory antigens.

Immune responses to immunization and infection with Trichinella spiralis and T. britovi were studied in NIH high-responder mice. Overall it was shown that T. britovi was the more immunogenic, immunization and challenge with this species giving greater host-protective immunity. This greater immunogenicity was reflected in higher proliferative responses when mesenteric node lymphocytes (MLNC) from immunized mice were restimulated with T. britovi antigens in vitro and in higher levels of T helper 2 (Th2) lymphocyte-dependent specific IgG1 antibody responses against this species. MLNC from mice immunized against T. britovi released more IL-5 when restimulated in vitro, again suggesting a greater T helper 2 subset response, but after infection the highest levels of IL-5 were recorded from MLNC taken from T. spiralis challenged mice. These data are discussed in relation to current understanding of immunological differences between species and isolates of the genus Trichinella.