The X-chromosome-linked immunodeficiency determines an improved course of murine lagochilascariosis

Lagochilascaris minor is the causative agent of lagochilascariosis, a disease that affects the neck region causing exudative abscesses with eggs, adult parasites and L3/L4 larvae within purulent exudates. Nowadays, mice are considered intermediate hosts for the parasite. To determine the pattern of infection in B1 cell-defective mice, experimental lagochilascariosis was studied in BALB/c and X-chromosome-linked immunodeficient (Xid) mice. BALB.xid infected mice showed higher survival ratios and less intense lung lesions than BALB/c mice. Serum levels of IL-10 was higher in BALB/c infected mice when compared to BALB.xid animals; however, serum levels of IFNγ, in control and infected BALB.xid mice, were statistically different from that seen in BALB/c mice. We discuss the participation of B1 cells and their cytokines in the resistance to infection.