Abstract
The pathogenesis of toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy was studied in rabbits. Sixteen were infected with a high virulence strain of Toxoplasma gondii and 32 with one of low virulence. The former group were killed and examined at intervals up to 9 days and the latter up to 129 days. The high virulence strain quickly caused paracortical hyperplasia but only moderate follicular reaction. Later, lymphoid depletion occurred. The low virulence strain caused follicular reaction so that at 16 days germinal centres had developed with evidence of cellular phagocytosis. Histiocytes were present and plasma cells were found in the medullary cords. These appearances were seen up to 51 days. At 86 days the follicular reaction was no longer present but had returned at 129 days. These results were supplemented by serological, parasitological, immunofluorescence and electron microscopic data.
The histological changes seen in the low virulence infections up to 51 days are unlike those caused by the high virulence strain but closely parallel those found in acquired infections in man, which are usually caused by strains of the low virulence type. These findings may help to elucidate the nature of the complex immune responses and the pathogenesis of toxoplasma infections.
Full text
PDF
Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Archer J. F., Beverley J. K., Fry B. A., Watson W. A. Immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of ovine abortion due to Toxoplasma gondii. Vet Rec. 1966 Mar 12;78(11):369–372. doi: 10.1136/vr.78.11.369. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- BEVERLEY J. K., BEATTIE C. P., FRY B. A. Experimental toxoplasmosis of the uveal tract. Br J Ophthalmol. 1954 Aug;38(8):489–496. doi: 10.1136/bjo.38.8.489. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hoare C. A. The developmental stages of Toxoplasma. J Trop Med Hyg. 1972 Mar;75(3):56–58. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hutchison W. M., Dunachie J. F., Siim J. C., Work K. Coccidian-like nature of Toxoplasma gondii. Br Med J. 1970 Jan 17;1(5689):142–144. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5689.142. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- PERKINS E. S. The aetiology and treatment of uveitis. Trans Opthal Soc U K. 1958;78:511–522. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- SIIM J. C. Acquired toxoplasmosis; report of 7 cases with strongly positive serologic reactions. J Am Med Assoc. 1951 Dec 22;147(17):1641–1645. doi: 10.1001/jama.1951.03670340031007. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sabin A. B., Feldman H. A. Dyes as Microchemical Indicators of a New Immunity Phenomenon Affecting a Protozoon Parasite (Toxoplasma). Science. 1948 Dec 10;108(2815):660–663. doi: 10.1126/science.108.2815.660. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Stansfeld A. G. The histological diagnosis of toxoplasmic lymphadenitis. J Clin Pathol. 1961 Nov;14(6):565–573. doi: 10.1136/jcp.14.6.565. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- VERLINDE J. D., MAKSTENIEKS O. Repeated isolation of toxoplasma from the cerebrospinal fluid and from the blood, and the antibody response in four cases of congenital toxoplasmosis. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 1950;16(5):366–372. doi: 10.1007/BF02274433. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Work K., Hutchison W. M. A new cystic form of Toxoplasma gondii. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand. 1969;75(1):191–192. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]