Resistance to Trypanosoma brucei in mice following inoculation of NTG-treated trypanosomes
Johnson, R.P.; Chi, L.W.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 30(5): 952-954
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 6116437 Document Number: 169474
N-Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) is an alkylating agent which induces mutations in DNA like those produced by irradiation. T. brucei were suspended in NTG for 15 min and then washed and injected into mice. Surviving mice were reinjected with NTG-treated trypanosomes at 7- to 14-day intervals for a total of 4 injections. After 35 and 88 days the mice were challenged with normal homologous trypanosomes. The minimal effective concentration of NTG to inactivate trypanosomes was 4 mu g/ml. 20 mice which survived all 4 injections were 100% resistant to challenge. Of 50 control non-immunized mice, only 3 resisted the challenge.