Immune depression in African trypanosomiasis: the role of antigenic competition.

摘要: The capacity of trypanosome-infected cattle to mount an immune response a simultaneous or subsequent challenge with other trypanosomes was investigated using various clones Trypanosoma congolense and T. brucei. In animals infected simultaneously equal numbers two different clones, the variant-specific antibody one clone severely depressed while not affected. then subsequently challenged depending on time interval between inoculations. These observations were consistent regardless whether used derived from same species. characteristics these responses would suggest that inability respond well antigens may be due antigenic competition.