ANTILYMPHOCYTE ANTIBODIES GENERATED IN ANIMALS IMMUNIZED WITH THEILERIA-ANNULATA-INFECTED CELLS

Complement fixing antibodies were measured in sera from animals immunised with either Theileria annulata sporozoites or autologous or allogeneic schizont-infected mononuclear cells using a complement-mediated micro-cytotoxicity test. The test demonstrated the presence of anti-lymphocyte antibodies in allogeneic cell-immunised animals, which were not detectable in autologous cell- or sporozoite-immunised animals; also that these antibodies were directed to T. annulata-infected and -uninfected cells and were likely to be against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens. Their potential importance in repeated immunisations is discussed.