Ocular immunopathologic findings of experimental onchocerciasis
J. J. Donnelly, J. H. Rockey, A. E. Bianco and E. J. Soulsby
Ocular immunopathologic responses of inbred guinea pigs infected with
Onchocerca microfilariae from domesticated animals were studied as a
laboratory model of human ocular onchocerciasis. A single intracorneal
infection of normal guinea pigs with microfilariae produced only minimal
ocular lesions. In contrast, intracorneal infection of guinea pigs
previously immunized by systemic infection with microfilariae produced
intense corneal and uveal inflammation. Transfer of splenic lymphocytes
from immunized donors to syngeneic normal recipients substituted
effectively for the active immunization. Cell recipients produced marked
corneal inflammatory reactions when challenged by a single intracorneal
infection. Fresh and cryopreserved microfilariae produced identical
reactions. The corneal inflammatory infiltrates were composed primarily of
eosinophils, neutrophils, and plasma cells and resembled human onchocercal
keratitis. Diethylcarbamazine citrate administration after a challenge
intracorneal infection increased the severity of the corneal inflammatory
response in immunized animals.
