Changes in concentration of lymphocytes subpopulations in Rhesus monkey during Plasmodium knowlesi infection and in drug-cured immune monkeys
Sharma, P.; Husain, M.; Dutta, G.P.
Indian Journal of Malariology 21(1): 31-36
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0367-8326 PMID: 6336063 Document Number: 241187
Deterimation of the concentrations of T and B cells by E and EAC rosetting techniques, respectively, in 71 normal rhesus monkeys revealed that T cells constituted on average 53.42 +or- 2.64% and B cells constituted 35.6 +or- 2.09% of the lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Following infection with P. knowlesi, an early increase in the percentage values of both T and B cells was detected. Subsequently, concomitant with the rise in parasitaemia, a marked decline in both T and B cells was observed. Thus at parasitaemia ranging from 25 to 40%, T cells averaged 38.13 +or- 4.92% and B cells 26.29 +or- 2.59%. At peak parasitaemia (42 to 90%), the concentration of T cells declined to 26.45 +or- 6.98% and of B cells to 19.7 +or- 3.83%. Following radical cure of the infection at high parasitaemia (22.62 +or- 12.28%), monkeys rapidly regained the pre-infection levels of T, B and null cells. These levels were maintained almost unaltered even after rechallenge 10 weeks later. Hyperimmune monkeys had elevated levels of T (55.48 +or- 3.21) and B cells (35.46 +or- 1.26) which were maintained despite 2 challenge infections with massive inocula.