Hymenolepis diminuta: intestinal mast cell and eosinophil response of the mouse to infection. 
It has been demonstrated that the rejection of Hymenolepis diminuta by the mouse is characterized by a humoral response in serum and intestinal lavage.  Now the response is also shown to be accompanied by a mast cell and eosinophil response in the lamina propria of the intestine.  The mast cell response is, in time and place, correlated with the rejection process of H. diminuta.  With regard to the number of eosinophils in the lamina propria, a significant response was only found in the second half of the intestine.  The eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) concentration in the intestinal lumen is correlated with the rejection of the parasite and illustrates the involvement of eosinophils in the rejection process.  The course of the EPO response is identical to the mast cell response.  This, together with other results, suggests that, as to other "systemic" worm infections, a mast cell-eosinophil response may be, at least in part, responsible for the rejection of H. diminuta from the intestinal lumen.