The response to Trypanosoma congolense infection in calves. Determination of immunoglobulins igG1, igG2, igM and C3 levels and the complement fixing antibody titres during the course of infection.
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Serum immunoglobulins, IgG1, IgG2, IgM and C3 levels and the complement fixing antibody titres were determined over a period of 15 to 18 weeks in 13 calves infected with Trypanosoma congolense. The mean IgM concentration increased from 2.88 mg/ml prior to infection to 23.75 mg/ml at the 3rd week after infection. This level dropped by the 5th week but elevated values of 13-19 mg/ml were maintained until the end of the experiment. The mean IgG1 level increased from 10.55 mg/ml to a peak of 26.90 mg/ml by 7 weeks. After the 10th week, levels remained in the range of 12-15 mg/ml. There was only slight increase in mean IgG2 after 7 weeks infection with the highest mean value of 17.09 mg/ml as compared to 10.70 mg/ml of control animals occurring at the 13th week. The mean C3 concentration decreased from 3.75 mg/ml to 0.95g/ml by 2 weeks and fluctuating low levels were maintained for the duration of the infection. The appearance of CF antibody, the decrease in C3 at about 1 to 2 weeks post infection and the subsequent drops in the CF titres and C3 at 5-6, 8 and 11 weeks were each coincident with the drops in packed cell volume.
