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Effects of prednisolone on murine strongyloidiasis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 November 2011

D. I. Grove
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, University of Western Australia and the Repatriation General Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009
H. J. S. Dawkins
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, University of Western Australia and the Repatriation General Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009

Summary

The effects of prednisolone were investigated in C57B1/6 mice infected with Strongyloides ratti. In primary infections, the numbers of adult worms in the small intestine and larvae in the stools were increased and there was a slight delay in the spontaneous expulsion of worms. In secondary infections, there was an initial suppression of acquired resistance, with larvae appearing normally in the stools on the 5th day after infection. This was followed, however, by a rapid development of resistance and expulsion of worms over the next few days. Prednisolone treatment did not alter fecundity in primary or secondary infections. There was no evidence of autoinfection in control or corticosteroid-treated animals. Prednisolone abrogated innate resistance to infection in C3H mice. It is concluded that prednisolone probably facilitated infection by non-specific mechanisms as well as by suppressing specific acquired immunity.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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References

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