BASIC STUDIES ON THE MONGOLIAN GERBIL AS A SUSCEPTIBLE HOST TO FILARIAL INFECTION; IgE-LIKE ANTIBODY FORMATION AGAINST DIROFILARIA IMMITIS ADULT WORM ANTIGEN

Abstract

Antibody, production in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) immunized with crude extract of Dirofilaria immitis adult worm was tested with passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction. Immunized gerbils produced a long-term binding, heat-labile antigen-specific antibody which sensitized the rat skin. Those profiles were like an IgE antibody. In an intact gerbil, IgE-like substance was detected in an immediate intracutaneous reaction with anti-rat IgE antibody. Mast cells representing metachromasia were confirmed in the skin tissue section of Mongolian gerbils stained with Toluidine blue and were thought to be target cells for those anaphylactic reactions.