Homologous and crossreacting immune response of the jird and cotton rat against microfilariae of Dipetalonema viteae and Litomosoides carinii (Nematoda: Filarioidea).

Consecutive injections of microfilariae of L. carinii and D. viteae were carried out in the homologous or heterologous sequence into the corresponding natural or into the experimental hosts. Microfilariae of D. viteae are imunogenic in Sigmodon specifically and crossreacting as well. However, in the natural host, Meriones, they are doubtlessly tolerogenic. The sojourn and level of microfilaraemia are prolonged resp. higher when living D. viteae-Mf are injected s.c. followed by an i.v. injection. However, freeze-killed microfilariae of D. viteae are immunogenic in Meriones. Obviously the two filarial worms living in small mammals realize the balance with their natural hosts in quite a different manner. Which one of the two possibilities, or if one of them at all, reflects the relationship in human pathogenic filariae remains open.