Innate Resistance toBabesiaInfection Is Influenced by Genetic Background and Gender

Abstract

Infection of severe combined immunodeficient mice with Babesia sp. strain WA1 was studied to assess the contributions of innate and adaptive immunity in resistance to acute babesiosis. The scid mutation showed little effect in genetically susceptible C3H mice and did not decrease the inherent resistance of C57BL/6 mice to the infection, suggesting that innate immunity plays a central role in determining the course of Babesia infection in these strains. In contrast, the scid mutation dramatically impaired resistance in moderately susceptible BALB/c mice, suggesting that acquired immunity may play an important secondary role. In comparison to their female counterparts, male mice of different genetic backgrounds showed increased resistance to the infection, indicating that the gender of the host may influence protection against babesiosis.

Macrophages Are Critical for Cross-Protective Immunity Conferred by Babesia microti against Babesia rodhaini Infection in Mice

“…Moreover, the susceptibility and the outcomes of the infection may be influenced by the genetic backgrounds of the mice; for instance, the A/J, C3H, and BALB/c mouse strains are highly susceptible to infection, whereas C57BL/6 mice are resistant to rodent babesiosis. This difference is most probably dependent on the innate immunity mechanisms (1). The global emergence of human babesiosis has spurred an interest in developing effective strategies for a better management and control of the infection.…”

Tolerance to Tick-Borne Diseases in Sheep: Highlights of a Twenty-Year Experience in a Mediterranean Environment

“…As to TBD, the response is known to be under multi-factorial regulation (Horin, 1998;Aguilar-Delfin et al, 2001). As highlighted in the above section 4, the phenomenon of tolerance is a broad-based one and possibly not unrelated to the erythropoietic system in different sheep breeds or to the haemoglobin genetic systems (Pieragostini et al, 2003;Pieragostini et al, 2006).…”

Effect of Sex Steroids on Babesia microti Infection in Mice

“…strain WA1 infection in C57BL/6 mice, with males being more resistant than females. 23 Conversely, Hughes and Randolph reported that testosterone causes prolonged and more intense B. microti infection. 27 Thus, these apparently conflicting studies have failed to clearly define the impact of sex-based differences on parasitemia in and clinical symptoms of B. microti infection.…”

“…strain WA1, and susceptible mouse models. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Aguilar-Delfin and others reported a sex-related influence on resistance to acute Babesia sp. strain WA1 infection in C57BL/6 mice, with males being more resistant than females.…”