Nematodes as host resistance models for detection of immunotoxicity.

Greater susceptibility to infection is a hallmark of compromised immune function in humans and animals, and is often considered the benchmark against which the predictive value of immune function tests are compared. The focus of this paper is resistance to infection with the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis as a model of host resistance. Topics include overviews of parasite biology, host immune responses that limit infection and methods used to evaluate the host response to infection. Detailed protocols are provided for adult and larval parasite counts, female parasite fecundity, parasite antigen-driven lymphocyte proliferation and antibody responses to infection.