East Afr Med J. 1997 Sep; 74(9): 566-9.

Induced immunity to Plasmodium yoelli nigeriensis in albino mice by antigenic mice organs.

Sanyaolu AO, Fagbenro-Beyioku AF, Oyibo WA.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Antigenic materials prepared from parasite infected and non-infected tissue (blood), organs (spleen, liver, lung) and whole mouse burnt with or without Aframomum melegmeta (Alligator Pepper) were tested whether they could elicit immune response to Plasmodium yoelli nigeriensis in albino mice. This investigation is in line with the practice of traditional medicine in the western part of Nigeria where burnt herbal preparation are introduced into patient through body cuts known as "Gbere" for protection and therapy against infection. Results from the study unexpectedly showed that immune response was elicited against malaria parasite by the uninfected antigenic material prepared from spleen and whole mouse. Aframomum melegmeta on its own lysed the red blood cells and played a doubtful role in inducing immunity.