Mechanism of splenic protection against ‘Bartonella muris’ in the parabiotic rat

¹ Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, and Instituto de Cardiología ‘Dr. Luis González Sabathié,’ Rosario, Argentina

Splenectomized albino rats, carriers of Bartonella muris, develop a hemolytic syndrome in about 3–4 days after operation. If the splenectomized animal is attached to a normal partner in true parabiosis, i.e. with cross circulation, the normal partner protects the other. If it is attached to a normal partner in false parabiosis, i.e. without cross circulation there is no protection. The difference in the behavior of these two types of union is associated with the different interchange of blood cells: about 0% in false and about 50% in true parabionts and not with the interchange of humors whose difference is not statistically significant. It is concluded that the splenic protection is local and not mediated through a humoral substance.