Immunization with infective larvae of Strongyloides ratti (Nematoda) exposed to microwave radiation.

The Journal of parasitology · 1983 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5952

Microwave-irradiated infective larvae of Strongyloides ratti (intact or homogenized) were immunogenic in rats despite being unable to reach the intestine and mature. Upon challenge, immunized rats showed reduced eggs produced per worm, perioral plug formation…

Study snapshot

PublicationThe Journal of parasitology · 1983

Study typeanimal

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Microwaves have not been tested previously for possible application in producing immunogenic preparations of parasites. This study examines the immunizing capacity of microwave-irradiated, infective larvae of Strongyloides ratti in rats. Rats were inoculated subcutaneously with untreated, microwaved, or microwaved and homogenized larvae, or distilled water, and challenged with untreated larvae. Data were collected on egg production and worm number/rat during primary infections and on egg production, worm number/rat, worm size, and eggs in utero/worm following challenge. Our results demonstrated that microwaved, infective larvae (intact or homogenized) of S. ratti were immunogenic for rats, even though they were incapable of reaching the intestine and maturing to adult worms. The immunity elicited by exposure to microwaved larvae was characterized on challenge by a significant reduction in the number of eggs produced/worm, by the formation of perioral plugs, and by reductions in worm numbers and size. These results suggest that microwave radiation may provide a valuable new tool for parasitic vaccine production. In addition, we have demonstrated the occurrence of a feature of the immune response of rats to S. ratti that may have been overlooked previously; i.e., a gut-level response that was elicited by larvae, but manifested against adult worms in the intestine.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationRats (immunized/challenged with Strongyloides ratti larvae)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Egg production
Worm number per rat
Worm size
Eggs in utero per worm
Perioral plug formation
Immunogenicity/protective immunity after challenge

Limitations

Microwave exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, power/SAR, duration) not reported in the abstract
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Animal model; findings may not generalize beyond this host–parasite system

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "laboratory exposure of parasite larvae",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Rats (immunized/challenged with Strongyloides ratti larvae)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Egg production",
    "Worm number per rat",
    "Worm size",
    "Eggs in utero per worm",
    "Perioral plug formation",
    "Immunogenicity/protective immunity after challenge"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Microwave-irradiated infective larvae of Strongyloides ratti (intact or homogenized) were immunogenic in rats despite being unable to reach the intestine and mature. Upon challenge, immunized rats showed reduced eggs produced per worm, perioral plug formation, and reductions in worm numbers and size.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Microwave exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, power/SAR, duration) not reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Animal model; findings may not generalize beyond this host–parasite system"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave radiation",
    "Strongyloides ratti",
    "infective larvae",
    "immunization",
    "rats",
    "vaccine production",
    "parasite",
    "worm burden",
    "egg production"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: 6827450

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