Effect of complement (C3) depletion on the generation of memory in rabbits primed with antigens of Trypanosoma evansi

Using the antibody response during secondary exposure of rabbits primed with antigens of Trypanosoma evansi as an indirect measure of immunological memory, it was shown that C3 decomplementaemia resulted in a reduced antibody response, predominated by a reduction in IgM, followed by IgG and then IgA. While significant differences were observed in the levels of IgG produced by the C3-depleted and C3-intact rabbits no differences were recorded in the levels of IgM and IgA produced by the two groups after C3 decomplementaemia. These results demonstrate that C3 depletion did not abolish memory of the T. evansi antigen in these rabbits but only modified the magnitude and pattern of their response. The host response to reinfection may be affected by such changes as those observed in this study.