Dipetalonema viteae infection in three species of rodents: species specific patterns of the antibody response

Groups of jirds (Meriones unguiculatus), multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis) and golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were infected with third stage larvae (L3) of Dipetaloneam viteae and the course of infection was followed until 20 weeks post infection. Worm growth was best and microfilaraemia was high and long lasting in jirds and in multimammate rats, whereas golden hamsters were poor hosts as measured by these parameters. The IgG and IgM antibody responses of the species were compared by immunoblotting and ELISA using proteins of D. viteae, separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The levels of antibodies against most proteins of high molecular weight declined during infection in jirds and in multimammate rats, whereas an increase was observed in golden hamsters. In contrast, several antigens of low molecular weight induced increasing antibody levels in all species. Species specific antigen recognition was observed for a number of protein bands of L3, microfilariae and female worms. The data suggest that susceptibility to immunesuppression and the species specific pattern of antigen recognition might determine the qualities of a rodent species as host for D. viteae.