Response of whole-body irradiated mice to inoculation of Theileria parva infected bovine lymphoid cells

Abstract Theileria parva -infected bovine lymphoid cells produced tumour-like masses at the site of subcutaneous inoculation in whole-body irradiated Swiss mice. The optimal dose range for irradiation was 800 to 900 rad. Intact parasitized cells were detected in these masses up to about d. 17 after inoculation and were then gradually rejected as the host's defence mechanisms recovered. The masses appeared to be produced by the continued growth of tissue culture in the immuno-suppressed host. There was no evidence that mouse cells became parasitized.