Serological And Haematological Responses To Experimental Fascioliasis And Treatment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

2 Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

Abstract

This study was established to evaluate and monitor both the humoral and haematological responses to Fascioliasis and its treatment in rabbit model. Rabbits were orally inoculated with viable F. gigantica metacercariae and then divided into four groups. Infected rabbits were orally administered a single dose of Triclabendazole (TCBZ) (10 mg kg-1) at week 4, 8 or 12 post- infection (pi), respectively. Antibody (Ab) response against infection was monitored using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Total red blood cell counts (Rbcs), haemoglobin content (Hb) and total and differential white blood cells (Wbcs) were also determined. Infected rabbits were found to produce Ab against excretory-secretory products (ESP) of adult flukes two weeks pi where ELISA enabled the early diagnosis of infection. Ab level reached to the peak at week 10 pi. In TCBZ-treated groups, the early Ab responses prior to treatments were similar to response of infected-untreated rabbits. But, after different treatment regimens, Ab levels showed a significant decreases that were depended mainly on both time and hence efficacy of the treatment. In addition, significant reductions in both Rbcs and Hb values accompanied with mild anemia were found among infected group at week 12 &10 pi, respectively. TCBZ-treatment prevented the development of anaemia. Eosinophil numbers significantly increased starting from week 2 pi and peaking at week 4 or 6 pi in all groups. Hence, both eosniophilia and anaemia might be characteristic aspects for experimental fascioliasis.
 

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