The response to phytohaemagglutinin of peripheral blood lymphocytes from dogs infected with ancylostoma caninum

Summary

Ancylostomiasis in susceptible dogs is accompanied by the development of a microcytic, hypochromic (iron deficiency) anaemia. In the present study, an in vitro correlate of cell-mediated immunity (lymphocyte transformation following stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin) was used to monitor the development and maintenance of immune responsiveness during the course of A. caninum infection. The results showed that lymphocyte function (as assessed by phytohaemagglutinin reactivity) was significantly impaired during the later stages of infection and that this impairment was very closely correlated with the development of an iron-deficient anaemic state.