Specific antibody responses to the variable surface glycoproteins of Trypanosoma congolense in infected cattle

Abstract

Sera from cattle infected with three Trypanosoma congolense clones (ILNat 2.1, ILNat 3.1 and ILRAD 588) derived from different stocks were analysed for the presence of specific antibodies against the surface glycoproteins (VSGs) of the infecting trypanosomes using the solid and liquid-phase radioimmunoassays and the neutralization of infectivity test. High levels of IgM, IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies against the VSGs of the infecting variable antigen types (VATs) as well as other VATs that arose during the course of infection were detected. In addition, 11 out of 12 infected animals showed recurrent peaks of antibody activity against the infecting trypanosomes. The recurrent peaks of antibody activity against the VSGs of the infecting organisms would suggest either a reappearance of trypanosomes of the infecting types or emergence of organisms that bear similar surface determinants. In contrast to the studies on murine trypanosomiasis, there was little or no antibody activity against 2,4,6-trinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (TNP-BSA) in sera from these cattle.

Peripheral blood leucocytes subpopulation dynamics during Trypanosoma congolense infection in Boran and N'Dama cattle: an analysis using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry

“…The significance of the observed haematological responses to the outcome of trypanosome infections in susceptible and tolerant cattle remains to be determined. The increases in the numbers of peripheral B cells, in both groups, subsequent to the first parasitaemic wave may reflect the structural dynamics in solid lymphoid tissue (Murray et al 1980), correspondent to serum antibody responses to the variable surface glycoproteins of the infecting trypanosomes (Masake, Musoke & Nantulya 1983). Labohm (1982) reported a positive correlation between enhanced survival and B cell lymphocytosis in trypanotolerant and susceptible cattle infected with T. congolense, although specific antibody responses were not examined.…”

Marker-assisted introgression of Trypanotolerance QTL in mice

“…Animals of different experimental groups, together with control parental strain mice, were challenged with T. congolense clone IL1180 (Masake et al 1983) according to procedures described by Kemp et al (1996). The number of days of survival, i.e., the number of days postinoculation before death, was recorded and analyzed.…”

Trypanosoma (Nannomonas) congolense: identification of two karyotypic groups.

“…Other clones of T (N.) congolense of known serodemes are those maintained at ILRAD. Pedigree relationships among clones belonging to ILRAD Nannomonas antigen Repertoires (ILNaRs) 2 and 3 have been described elsewhere (Majiwa et al, 1985;Masake et al, 1983). T. (N.) simiae clones KETRI 243 1/1 and KETRI 2431/2 were derived from an East African isolate MUHAKA/64/EATRO/1875 Karyotypic groups of T. congolense maintained and grown in pigs at The Kenya Government Veterinary Laboratories, Kabete.…”

“…We also demonstrate that, at the molecular level, T. (N.) congolense and T. (N.) simiae differ significantly from each other, and can thus be distinguished by molecular hybridization using appropriate DNA hybridization probes. Results T. (N.) congolense clones ILNat 4.1 and ILNat 5.1 both have molecular karyotypes different from one other group of T. (N.) congolense clones Figure 1A shows an analysis of chromosomes from T. (N.) congolense ILNat 4.1 and ILNat 5.1, both of which are from the ( IRL Press Limited, Oxford, England Kilifi isolates, compared with those from T. (N.) congolense ILNat 3.1; ILNat 3.1 is representative of the T. (N.) congolense cloned isolates we have previously studied (Majiwa et al, 1985;Masake et al, 1983). It is evident that the molecular karyotypes of these T (N.) congolense clones are different from each other.…”