Humoral Immune Response in Calves to Single-Dose, Trickle and Challenge Infections with Fasciola Hepatica

in Veterinary Parasitology (2000), 87(2-3), 103-23

In cattle experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica, parasite specific IgG1 and IgG2 responses were studied. Additionally parasite specific IgE production was assessed by the Passive Cutaneous ... [more ▼]

In cattle experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica, parasite specific IgG1 and IgG2 responses were studied. Additionally parasite specific IgE production was assessed by the Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis reaction. The primary infection was administered either as a single-dose or as a trickle infection over a 4-week period. Animals were challenged 4 months later. Titres of IgG1 and IgG2 against excretory-secretory parasite products (FhESAg), and against a whole-worm extract (FhSomAg) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in relation to weight gain, serum hepatic enzyme levels, and fluke infection rate. At necropsy, the mean number of flukes recovered was similar in both infected groups. The two ELISAs specific for bovine IgG1 showed analogous sensitivity and specificity (92% and 94%). Cross-reactivity was observed towards Echinococcus granulosus, Cysticercus tenuicollis, and C. ovis but not towards C. bovis, Cooperia spp., and Ostertagia spp. FhESAg gave rise to apparently more stable specific IgG1 titres as compared to FhSomAg. Mean IgG1 titres were significantly higher in the single-dose-infected group than in the trickle-infected group during the early migratory phase of the infection (week 2 to week 4 (FhSomAg) or week 6 (FhESAg)). IgG2 values were consistently lower than IgG1 levels. The kinetic response of both isotypes yielded a similar pattern. Specific IgE antibodies were detected in cattle of both infected groups from week 2 post-primary infection (PPI) onwards. The mean serum glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gammaGT) activities were significantly higher in the single-dose-infected group for 3 weeks around peak levels (12-14 weeks PPI and 14-16 weeks PPI for GLDH and gammaGT respectively). Western blotting revealed a major antigenic fraction in FhESAg (26-30 kDa) recognized specifically by sera from F. hepatica infected calves as early as 6-8 weeks PPI. Experimental challenge caused no statistically significant modification of any parameter (IgG1 and IgG2 titres, enzymatic activities, immunoblotting) used to monitor the course of the infection. No correlation was found between fluke size and number, and antibody titres, suggesting that IgG1 production has little protective effect against F. hepatica infection. [less ▲]

Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immune Responses of Beef and Dairy Cattle Experimentally Infested with Psoroptes Ovis

in American Journal of Veterinary Research (1998), 59(5), 583-7

OBJECTIVE: To compare cellular and humoral immune responses of beef (Belgian White and Blue [BWB]) and dairy (Friesian-Holstein [FH]) cattle to Psoroptes ovis infestation and to determine whether P ovis ... [more ▼]

OBJECTIVE: To compare cellular and humoral immune responses of beef (Belgian White and Blue [BWB]) and dairy (Friesian-Holstein [FH]) cattle to Psoroptes ovis infestation and to determine whether P ovis infestation impaired immune responses to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBR) vaccine or an immunogenic protein (keyhole-limpet hemocyanin [KLH]). ANIMALS: 19 BWB and 6 FH 1-year-old calves. PROCEDURE: 2 trials were performed. In each trial, 7 (trial 1) or 6 (trial 2) BWB calves and 3 FH calves were experimentally infested with P ovis and 3 BWB calves were maintained as uninfested controls. Animals were inoculated with KLH and IBR virus vaccine twice; 3 BWB calves in each trial were treated with ivermectin. Serum antibody responses to KLH, IBR virus, and P ovis were measured by use of ELISA. A lymphocyte transformation assay was used to determine nonspecific responses to 3 mitogens and specific lymphocyte reactivity to P ovis antigen. RESULTS: In each trial, 3 BWB and 3 FH calves developed clinical signs of psoroptic mange and mites could be recovered. Infested and control animals developed similar antibody titers to KLH and IBR virus. Antibodies to P ovis were detected early in some infested calves, and this was correlated with a marked cell-mediated immune response. Lymphocyte responsiveness to the 3 mitogens was not significantly different among groups. CONCLUSIONS: In these calves, infestation with P ovis induced a marked humoral and cell-mediated immune response. Immunosuppression was not evident. [less ▲]

Field Efficacy of Moxidectin 0.5% Pour-on against Chorioptes Bovis, Damalinia Bovis, Linognathus Vituli and Psoroptes Ovis in Naturally Infected Cattle

in Veterinary Parasitology (1996), 63(1-2), 119-30

Field efficacy of a pour-on formulation of moxidectin, a macrocyclic lactone endectocide, was evaluated in cattle naturally infested with Chorioptes bovis, Damalinia bovis, Linognathus vituli and ... [more ▼]

Field efficacy of a pour-on formulation of moxidectin, a macrocyclic lactone endectocide, was evaluated in cattle naturally infested with Chorioptes bovis, Damalinia bovis, Linognathus vituli and Psoroptes ovis. In trial 1, two experimental groups of cattle naturally infested with P. ovis were formed. Group 1 animals remained as untreated controls whereas Group 2 animals were treated on day 0 with 0.5% moxidectin cattle pour-on at a dose of 0.5 mg kg-1 bw. Efficacy was assessed by (a) taking skin samples from each animal on days -4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 and 56 post treatment (PT) and observing the numbers of viable P. ovis mites and (b) clinical examination of animals on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 and 56 with the percentage of affected body surface calculated and live body weights recorded for each animal on days 4, 28 and 42. The pour-on formulation of moxidectin yielded excellent efficacy as no live mites were found in treated animals at 14, 21, 28, 42 and 56 days PT, except in one animal from which one adult mite was collected on day 42. Clinical indices showed a regular decrease in the affected body surface area. All untreated animals but one remained positive until day 28 and their clinical condition worsened rapidly. In trial 2, two experimental groups of cattle naturally infested with D. bovis and L. vituli were selected. Group 1 remained as untreated controls whereas Group 2 individuals were treated on day 0 with 0.5% moxidectin cattle pour-on at a dose of 0.5 mg kg-1 bw. Efficacy was assessed by identifying and counting lice on eight 15 cm hair partings at predefined anatomical sites on days 0, 14, 28 and 42. On the basis of animals cured and lice count reduction, efficacies were 100% on day 14 and from then onwards for both species. In trial 3, 24 animals naturally infested with C. bovis were divided into three experimental groups comprising eight (Group I), seven (Group 2) and nine animals (Group 3). Group 1 was the untreated control group whereas Groups 2 and 3 animals were treated on day 0 with 0.5% moxidectin cattle pour-on at a dose of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg kg-1 bw, respectively. Efficacy was assessed as in trial 1. Skin scrapings were collected on days -3, 7, 14, 28, 42 and 56 PT. A clinical index was calculated for each animal on days 0, 28 and 56 whereas body weights were recorded on days 0 and 56. At 0.25 mg kg-1 bw, the efficacy of moxidectin cattle pour-on against C. bovis was incomplete. In contrast, at a dose of 0.5 mg kg-1 bw, moxidectin cattle pour-on was fully effective and by day 14 PT all animals were negative for C. bovis and remained so until the end of the trial. No side effects were observed during these three trials. These results indicate that at a dose of 0.5 mg kg-1 bw, the pour-on formulation of moxidectin is highly effective against C. bovis, D. bovis, L. vituli and P. ovis. [less ▲]