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In vitro studies of the response of sheep to infection with Fasciola hepatica

1980; Elsevier BV; Volume: 6; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0304-4017(80)90079-5

1873-2550

R.M. Sandeman, Michael J. Howell,

Parasite Biology and Host Interactions

Abstract When excysted metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica were cultured in serum from infected sheep a precipitate formed on their teguments and in the medium. This precipitate was found to contain sheep antibody and parasite antigen. Immunodiffusion tests suggested that only one antigen—antibody interaction was involved in the formation of precipitate. The extent of precipitate formation in vitro was examined in serum samples taken weekly from sheep for 20 weeks following infection with F. hepatica . Comparisons of the amount of precipitate formed with the levels of liver (GLDH) and bile duct (γ-GT) enzymes in the serum indicated that the antibody response reached its peak when juvenile flukes were causing most damage to the liver parenchyma as a result of their migratory activity. Antibody levels fell as the flukes became established in the bile duct.