[The effect of toluene and ammonia on the invasive process and immunological indices in experimental trichinelliasis in mice].

Rap mice were exposed to toluene (T) inhalation for 10 days before invasion with 20 Trichinella spiralis larvae per g body weight (moderate infection). This resulted in diminished number of intestinal parasites in the presence of greater number of mast cells in the peritoneal exudate, higher IgE production, enhanced cell adhesion to trichinella larvae and of migration of splenic lymphocytes. Simultaneous inhalation of T and ammonia diminished the immune stimulating effect of the former. The number of intestinal trichinella was 1.5 times more but still twice less than in controls. Inhalation of T during the first 10 days of infection stimulated the immune response only in mice given 5 larvae per g. In those given 20 or 60 larvae per g, the immune response was suppressed and 40 and 100% of mice perished respectively. The exposure to T during 30-39 days of infection of mice given 35 larvae per g (the intensive infection) resulted in 50% death of the animals without significant changes in immune response. Simultaneous therapy with mebendazole (75 mg/kg) provided 100% survival in the presence of suppressed immune response. 100% of mice of the same group not exposed to T but treated with mebendazole died. The toxic and immunomodulating effects of T differ in intact and infected mice due to the dense, the stage of infection and to chemotherapy.