Passive transfer of immunity with serum in mice infected with Nematospiroides dubius: Influence of quality and quantity of immune serum

Dobson C. 1982. Passive transfer of immunity with serum in mice infected with Nematospiroides dubius: influence of quality and quantity of immune serum. International Journal for Parasitology 12: 207-213. The passive transfer of protective immunity to mice with immune serum against Nematospiroides dubius infection was directly proportional to the number of infections experienced by the serum donor mice and the antibody titre and quantity of serum transferred to each recipient. These effects were seen as decreased parasite survival, stunting of growth and reduced parasite fecundity. Male worms were more susceptible to the effects of immune serum than female worms. Immune serum from female donors was more efficacious than that from males in protecting mice against infection. Passively immunized male mice harboured more worms than females given the same serum. Antibody appeared to debilitate the parasite both directly, by influencing its biology and indirectly by reducing its survival