Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c47g7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T07:49:43.964Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The fate of Fasciola hepatica metacercariae following challenge infection of immune rats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2009

G. R. Rajasekariah  and
M. J. Howell
G. R. Rajasekariah
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Australian National University, Box 4 PO, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
M. J. Howell
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Australian National University, Box 4 PO, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Groups of rats, infected 7 weeks previously with Fasciola hepatica, together with appropriate control groups, were challenged either orally or intraperitoneally with 30 metacercariae. The mean worm recovery from the previously infected, orally challenged rats was significantly lower than from their respective controls (2.2 ± 1.1 worms as opposed to 9.0 ± 2.6). There was no significant difference in mean worm recovery from the previously infected, intraperitoneally challenged rats and their respective controls (5.3 ± 3.2 worms as opposed to 6.2 ± 1.9). Livers of the orally challenged group appeared to be largely free from secondary damage but considerable damage was evident in rats which received an intraperitioneal challenge. This evidence supports the view that the gut acts as an important barrier to metacercariae of a challenge infection. In a further experiment, young flukes were recovered from the gut, abdominal cavity and liver of immune and control rats 9, 18, 27, 36 and 45 h after oral challenge. It was found that fewer flukes successfuly penetrated the guts of immune rats (3%) than those of uninfected controls (13%), again pointing to the gut as a barrier to metacercariae of a challenge infection. Protective mechanisms that may oprate at the level of the gut are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 51 , Issue 4 , December 1977 , pp. 289 - 294
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Armour, J. and Dargie, J. D. (1974) Immunity to Fasciola hepatica in the rat: successful tranfer of immunity by lymphoid cells and by serum. Experimental Parasitology, 35, 381–388.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boray, J. C. (1969) Experimental fascioliasis in Australia. Advances in Parasitology, 7, 95–210.Google Scholar
Corba, J., Armour, J., Roberts, R. J. and Urquhart, G. M. (1971) Transfer of immunity to Fasciola hepatica infection by lymphoid cells. Research in Vetinerary Science, 12, 292–295.Google Scholar
Dargie, J. D., Armour, J., Rushton, B. and Murray, M. (1974) Immune mechanisms and hepatic fibrosis in fascioliasis. In Parasitic Zoonoses (ed Soulsby, E. J. L.) pp. 249–271. Academic Press: New York.Google Scholar
Fortmeyer, H. P. (1973) Untersuchungen zur immunitát bei Fasciola hepatica–infektionen des Kaninchens und zu ihrer lokalization. Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift, 80, 528–534.Google Scholar
Goose, J. and Macgregor, M. (1973) Naturally acquired immunity to Fasciola hepatica in the rat. British Veterinary Journal, 129, xlix.Google Scholar
Harness, E., Doy, T. G. and Hughes, D. L. (1976) Host-parasite relationships of Fasciola hepatica in the mouse during the early stages of infection. Parasitology, 173, XXV–XXVI.Google Scholar
Harness, E., Hughes, D. L. and Doy, T. G. (1976) The demonstration of pre-hepatic immune response to Fasciola hepatica in the mouse. International Journal for Parasitology, 6, 15–17.Google Scholar
Hayes, T. J., Bailer, J. and Mitrovic, M. (1972) Immunity in rats to superinfection with Fasciola hepatica. Journal of Parasitology, 58, 1103–1105.Google Scholar
Hayes, T. J, Bailer, J. and Mitrovic, M. (1973) Immunity to Fasciola hepatica in rats: the effects of two different levels of primary exposure on superinfection. Journal of Parasitology, 59, 810–812.Google Scholar
Hayes, T. J., Bailer, J. and Mitrovic, M. (1974a) Acquired immunity and age resistance in rats with chronic fascioliasis. Journal of Parasitology, 60, 247–250.Google Scholar
Hayes, T. J., Bailer, J. and Mitrovic, M. (1974b) Serum transfer of immunity toFasciola hepatica in rats. Journal of Parasitology, 60, 722–723.Google Scholar
Hayes, T. J., Bailer, J. and Mitrovic, M. (1974c) Studies on the serum transfer of immunity to Fasciola hepatica in the rat. Journal of Parasitology, 60, 930–934.Google Scholar
Hughes, D. L. (1975) The application of various teachniques in liver fluke research. In Facts and Reflections II–Workshop on Fascioliasis Lelystad (ed Over, H. J. and Armour, J.) pp. 81–83.Google Scholar
Sokolic, A. (1967) Preliminary studies of irradiated and normal metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica in mice. In The reaction of the host to parasitism (ed Soulsby, E. J. L.) pp. 258–263.Google Scholar