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Immunodepression, high IgM levels and evasion of the immune response in murine trypanosomiasis

Nature volume 264, pages 256–258 (1976)Cite this article

Abstract

THERE is currently much interest in the devices evolved by parasites which enable them to evade the immune responses mounted by their hosts1. One such device is the phenomenon of antigenic variation associated with the salivarian trypano-some infections of man and animals in Africa2,3. Typically these infections show successive waves of blood parasitaemia. Each succeeding trypanosome population is characterised by a novel variant-specific glycoprotein antigen present in the parasite surface coat and not reactive with antibodies induced against preceding variants4,5. Antigenic variation has a clear role in the evasion of host immunity and leads to chronic and usually fatal infections. More recently we have become aware of a possible additional component of the evasion mechanism, generalised immunodepression.

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Author notes

  1. JOAN FREEMAN

    Present address: Ross Institute of Tropical Hygiene, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK

    K. M. HUDSON, CAROLE BYNER, JOAN FREEMAN & R. J. TERRY

Authors
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  2. CAROLE BYNER
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  4. R. J. TERRY
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HUDSON, K., BYNER, C., FREEMAN, J. et al. Immunodepression, high IgM levels and evasion of the immune response in murine trypanosomiasis. Nature 264, 256–258 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/264256a0

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