Free radical generation by peritoneal leukocytes from BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice was monitored for 18 days following infection with Eimeria vermiformis. Free radical generation occurred earlier and was quantitatively much greater in resistant BALB/c mice than in susceptible C57BL/6 mice, resistance being indicated by a much lower oocyst production and a shorter patent period of E. vermiformis. Plasma greatly enhanced free radical generation in response to a soluble antigen prepared from sporulated oocysts indicating the presence of plasma-borne factor(s) which enhance free radical generation in response to E. vermiformis.
Animals Coccidiosis