Quantitation of immediate and delayed hypersensitivity responses in Trichinella-infected mice. Correlation with worm expulsion.

The developmental relationships between active cutaneous or local anaphylaxis, delayed hypersensitivity and worm expulsion were quantitatively examined in Trichinella-infected mice. The onset of both types of hypersensitivities and increase in sensitivity to antigen following an initial infection correlated with the onset and rate of elimination of adult worms. Mice passively sensitized with serum containing both IgG1 and IgE antibodies, but not IgG1 alone, expelled their worms at a faster rate in comparison to the controls. On the basis of these findings it is suggested that local allergic reactions mediated by anaphylactic antibodies are involved in the development of resistance to Trichinella infection.