Immunity in a Social Insect |
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Authors: | Rebeca B Rosengaus James F A Traniello Tammy Chen Julie J Brown Richard D Karp |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA Tel.: +1-617-3532832, Fax: +1-617-3536340, US;(2) Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Rieveschl Hall, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0006, USA, US |
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Abstract: | Although pathogens appear to have exerted significant selective pressure on various aspects of sociality, mechanisms of disease
resistance in the social insects are poorly understood. We report here on an immune response to infection by the dampwood
termite, Zootermopsis angusticollis. Nymphs immunized with an injection of 7.6×107, 7.6×105, or 7.6×104 cells/ml glutaraldehyde-killed solution of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa had significantly higher survivorship than controls following a challenge with a lethal concentration of active bacteria.
Similarly, nymphs exposed to a 9×10–1 spores/ml suspension of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae had higher survivorship than controls after a challenge with a lethal concentration of spores. Prior exposure to a pathogen
thus conferred upon termites a degree of protection during a subsequent encounter with the same pathogen. This represents
the first demonstration of immune function in vivo in a social insect.
Received: 18 May 1999 / Accepted in revised form: 26 August 1999 |
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