Apparent Increased Resistance of Vitamin B-Deficient Rats to an Acute Infection

Abstract

Summary

1. Albino rats kept on vitamin B complex-free diet survived on an average longer after infection with Trypanosoma equiperdum than controls kept on a complete diet. 2. Lack of vitamin B₁ seems to be the important factor although a slight effect was also observed with animals receiving B₁ but no G. 3. No change was found in the plasma of deficient animals which could account for the phenomenon observed. 4. Although feeding of vitamin B, after the injection of trypanosomes cured polyneuritis it did not restore the normal reactivity towards the infection before death. 5. Rats kept on a vitamin A free diet and infected with Trypanosoma equiperdum apparently died somewhat earlier than controls kept on a complete diet.