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PubMed1988

Fasciola hepatica: studies on vaccination of rats and mice with a surface antigen prepared from fluke homogenate by means of a monoclonal antibody.

T1 tegumental antigen was isolated from a homogenate of eight- to 10-week-old Fasciola hepatica using a T1-specific monoclonal antibody bound to sepharose in an antibody-affinity column. Rats and mice were vaccinated with T1 antigen in Freund's complete adjuvant, and control groups received equivalent amounts of non-T1 antigen (eluted from the antibody-affinity column) or ovalbumin. On completion of the immunisation programme, serum samples were collected for ELISA and IFA testing. The animals were challenged by oral infection with F hepatica metacercariae or, for several vaccinated rats, by intraperitoneal transplantation of live adult flukes. At autopsy, worm-burden and liver damage was assessed for each animal and the condition of transplanted flukes was examined. Comparison of test and control groups of animals showed that neither T1 nor non-T1 antigens provided significant protection against challenge, although specific antibody responses against the appropriate sensitising antigen were engendered. Flukes transplanted to the peritoneal cavity of immunised rats survived without damage, although they became encased in hollow fibrous capsules of host origin. The results lend support to the pre-existing concept that glycocalyx turnover by discharge of T1 secretory bodies at the apical surface of migrating flukes provides an efficient means of protection for the parasite against host immunity.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

Chemotherapy of infection with Fasciola hepatica in cattle.

Diamphenethide and a mixture of nitroxynil and hexachlorophane, which are effective against Fasciola hepatica in sheep, are effective in cattle if allowance is made for the slower rate of development and the more intense liver reaction which is associated with resistance. Adult parasites are mostly rejected around the time of maturity so that therapy in cattle must be directed against the early developmental stage using an appropriate drug.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1980

An attempt to vaccinate sheep against Fasciola hepatica using a juvenile fluke antigen sheep antibody complex.

Sheep were injected intramuscularly with a mixture of Freund's complete adjuvant and a precipitated fluke antigen-antibody complex isolated from in vitro cultures of excysted metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica in serum from infected sheep. Control groups of sheep were given Freund's complete adjuvant or were untreated. All sheep were then challenged with 200 metacercariae of F hepatica. Assays of antibody and liver enzymes in serum collected during the experiment indicated that although vaccination with the complex resulted in a pronounced antibody response to its antigenic component(s), there was no apparent effect on the migratory activity of the juvenile flukes in these animals. Failure to confer protection on vaccinated sheep was confirmed at autopsy when no significant difference was found between the worm burden of these animals and the controls.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Myocastor coypus as a reservoir host of Fasciola hepatica in France.

To clarify the role of the nutria Myocastor coypus in the epidemiology of domestic fasciolosis in Loire-Atlantique (department of western France), 438 nutrias were trapped in 9 humid areas of the department and 304 nutrias were trapped in 3 farms where Fasciola hepatica was present; all animals were necropsied. Liver flukes were found in 160 nutrias: 38 nutrias randomly taken in the department (8.7%) and 122 trapped in fasciolosis areas (40.1%). The average parasitic burden was 5.7 flukes per nutria. Sixty-five percent of the liver flukes measured more than 18 mm (size of sexual maturity). The coproscopic examinations carried out on 144 infected nutrias showed that 90% of the infected nutrias shed fluke eggs. The hatching rate was 39.6%. Two groups of 100 Lymnaea truncatula snails, originating from 2 different populations, were exposed to F. hepatica miracidiae hatched from eggs collected from infected nutrias. The prevalence of the infection was 74% and 58.6% in the 2 groups of snails. The average redial burden was 6.2 rediae per snail. The total number of metacercariae was 72.4 metacercariae per snail producing cercariae. Two groups of 5 sheep were orally infected by 150 metacercariae of nutria or sheep origin, respectively. The installation rates of F. hepatica in sheep were respectively 31.6% and 29.6% for the two groups. Specific antibody kinetics of sheep were similar whether the metacercariae were of nutria or sheep origin. M. coypus allows the complete development of F. hepatica and releases parasitic elements that are infective for domestic ruminants. Because of its eco-ethologic characteristics, the nutria could be a potential wild reservoir of F. hepatica in France.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

The antigens of Paragonimus westermani, Schistosoma mansoni, and Fasciola hepatica adult worms. Evidence for the presence of cross-reactive antigens and for cross-protection to Schistosoma mansoni infection using antigens of Paragonimus westermani.

The presence of cross-reacting antigens between Paragonimus westermani, Schistosoma mansoni, and Fasciola hepatica adult worms was demonstrated by Ouchterlony immunodiffusion and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A serum bank was developed against the three trematode genera to serve as probes to determine the presence of cross-reacting antibodies to P. westermani worm extracts. In this manner, it was possible to demonstrate that antigens common to F. hepatica and S. mansoni tegument were also present in P. westermani worm extracts. Likewise, it was possible to demonstrate that the F. hepatica antigens which bind to Concanavalin A, as well as the subfraction which in isoelectric focusing has a pI of 4.2, were also found in P. westermani worms. Also, a monospecific polyclonal serum to a Fasciola/Schistosoma cross-reacting antigen and the anti-P. westermani serum both reacted in Ouchterlony immunodiffusion with the P. westermani antigenic extract, each producing a line which linked with each other indicating common antigenic determinants and suggesting a common antigen among the digenetic trematodes. Finally, the P. westermani antigenic extracts induced in mice the production of antibodies which reacted with S. mansoni adult worm antigens by ELISA. As all of the Fasciola and Schistosoma sera were prepared against antigenic preparations which induced in mice protection to challenge infection with S. mansoni, this suggested that the P. westermani worms also contain protective antigens against S. mansoni. Immunity to Schistosoma mansoni infection was induced in mice by vaccination with Paragonimus westermani whole worm extracts (PwWWE). Immunized mice showed as high as a 67% worm burden reduction over controls. High doses of PwWWE did not confer protection to S. mansoni infection. Thus, in this study, immunity in heterologous systems was demonstrated and the existence of a common protective antigen shared by the digenetic trematodes was suggested.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Fasciola hepatica: surfaces involved in movement of miracidia and cercariae.

Rapid freezing and substitution with fixative prior to scanning electron microscopy was used to demonstrate the pattern of beat and recovery of the cilia of free swimming miracidia of Fasciola hepatica. There were stages of dexioplectic metachronal co-ordination and the power stroke was approximately 15 degrees anticlockwise from the anterior-posterior axis. Around the circumference of the body of the miracidia there were approximately 12 metachronal waves of power and recovery. Free-swimming cercariae were recorded by time-lapse photography and, after conventional fixation, by scanning electron microscopy. Cercarial tail-beats were to the posterior of the body in the lateral plane at a rate of 8 Hz. The tail has paired lateral ridges positioned to act as leading edges. There is an array of 32 sensory papillae on the mid-ventral surface of the tail. The tegument of the most distal part of the tail is described: it is free of sensory endings and the surface shows a spiral pattern.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Identification of a novel Fasciola hepatica cathepsin L protease containing protective epitopes within the propeptide.

Cathepsin L (CL)-like proteases are important candidate vaccine antigens for protection against helminth infections. We previously identified an immunogenic 32 kDa protein specifically present in newly excysted juveniles (NEJs) of Fasciola hepatica. Here we show by N-terminal protein sequencing that this protein represents a CL-like protease still containing the propeptide. Two cDNAs encoding this CL were subsequently isolated from NEJs by RT-PCR. The predicted amino acid sequences of these cDNAs showed approximately 70% sequence homology to both CL1 and CL2 sequences isolated from adult stage F. hepatica and are, therefore, referred to as CL3. The CL3 clones encoded asparagine at position P1 of the propeptide cleavage site, suggesting a dependence on asparaginyl endopeptidases for maturation. Recombinant expression of a CL3 cDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in secretion of the proenzyme form. The propeptide of CL-like proteins was predicted to contain important B-cell epitopes. To determine the contribution of the propeptide to protective immunity, rats were vaccinated with Keyhole Limpet Haemocyanin-conjugated synthetic peptides encoding these putative B-cell epitopes derived from the CL1 or CL3 sequence. A subsequent challenge infection resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) reduction of fluke load compared to adjuvant controls. We conclude that the propeptide of CL3 plays an important role in inducing immunity against F. hepatica infection.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

More efficient allopatric combinations of Fasciola hepatica and Lymnaea truncatula due to modification of redial development?

Experimental infections of two susceptible French populations of Lymnaea truncatula (Courcelles and Saint Ours) with an allopatric (Fès, Morocco) or a semi-sympatric (Limoges, France) isolate of Fasciola hepatica miracidia were performed to determine the effect of allopatric miracidia on redial and cercarial production. In both populations, cercarial release was significantly greater in allopatric than in semi-sympatric snails. Compared to semi-sympatric snails, the examination of allopatric snails killed from day 14 to day 35 post-exposure demonstrated (1) a significant decrease after day 28 in the number of daughter rediae (R2a group) exiting from the first-appearing mother redia (R1a redia), and (2) the differentiation of numerous daughter rediae (R2b group) in the body of second-appearing mother rediae (R1b group). These experiments demonstrated that the exposure of L. truncatula to an allopatric isolate of miracidia disturbed the usual developmental pattern of redial generations and caused the formation of numerous R2b rediae. The authors hypothesized that the increase in cercarial release noted in allopatric snails would be assured by the rediae from the R2b group after their emergence from the body of R1b mother rediae.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Cloning of a protease gene family of Fasciola hepatica by the polymerase chain reaction.

Degenerate oligonucleotide primers derived from conserved cysteine protease sequences were used in the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to amplify seven different cysteine protease cDNA clones, Fcp1-7, from RNA isolated from adult Fasciola hepatica. Five of the amplified F. hepatica sequences showed homology to the cathepsin L type and two were more related to the cathepsin B type. Southern blot analysis suggests that some members of this protease gene family are present in multiple copies. Northern blot analysis revealed differences in the levels of steady state mRNA expression for some of these proteases. The 5' and the 3' regions of Fcp1 were amplified using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR protocol (RACE-PCR) and an additional clone was obtained by screening a lambda gt10 cDNA library using Fcp1 as a probe. The Fcp1 cDNA fragment was also subcloned in the expression vector pGEX and expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Antibodies, raised in rabbits against the GST:Fcp1 fusion protein, were used in western blot analysis to examine expression in different life-cycle stages of F. hepatica. In extracts from adult and immature parasites, the immune serum recognised predominantly two proteins of 30 kDa and 38 kDa. In other parasite stages, proteins of different molecular weight were recognised by the anti-GST:Fcp1 antiserum, indicating stage-specific gene expression or processing of Fcp1. In gelatine substrate gel analysis, strong proteolytic activity could be detected at 30 kDa, but not at 38 kDa, suggesting that the 30 kDa protein represents the mature enzyme and the 38 kDa protein the proenzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1981

Circulating immune complexes in human fascioliasis. Relationship with Fasciola hepatica egg output.

Circulating immune complexes were investigated by the 125I-Clq binding test in serum from patients with fascioliasis. Only 36% of all the patients studied showed significant levels of CIC. Nevertheless, when we considered only the patients eliminating Fasciola hepatica eggs in the stool and/or with the acute phase of the infection, the detection of CIC was very higher (more than 70% of the cases). In addition, a close relationship was observed between F. hepatica egg output and the incidence of CIC. This data suggest strongly the occurrence of specific parasite antigens in the detected CIC. The involvement of CIC in the pathogenesis of the acute hepatic fascioliasis is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

The ability of diamphenethide to control immature Fasciola hepatica in sheep at a lower than standard dose level.

Groups of eight Welsh Mountain sheep were dosed with diamphenethide at the rate of 70 mg/kg bodyweight at either one, four, six or eight weeks after artificial infection with approximately 300 Fasciola hepatica metacercariae. Comparisons were made with similarly infected but undosed sheep and with sheep which were neither infected nor dosed. The good clearance of flukes up to six weeks of age (above 97 per cent on pooled data) was reflected in the plasma concentrations of the accepted liver damage marker enzymes glutamate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Highly significant correlations were demonstrated between the numbers of flukes recovered, the plasma levels of these enzymes and haemoglobin and plasma albumin values. At 70 mg/kg, diamphenethide was shown to be able to control F hepatica populations of up to six weeks of age. The systematic use of diamphenethide at this dose level at intervals of up to six weeks during the period of metacercarial challenge should prevent ovine fascioliasis.

Acetanilides↗

PubMed1994

Ultrastructural localisation of FMRFamide- and pancreatic polypeptide-immunoreactivities within the central nervous system of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda, Digenea).

A post-embedding immunogold technique was used to examine the subcellular distribution of immunoreactivities to the invertebrate peptide, FMR-Famide, and to vertebrate pancreatic polypeptide (PP) within the central nervous system of the trematode, Fasciola hepatica. Gold labeling of peptide was localised exclusively over both dense-cored and ellipsoidal electron-dense vesicles (with a homogeneous matrix) present within nerve cell bodies, small and 'giant' nerve processes of the neuropile in the cerebral ganglia and transverse commissure, as well as in the main longitudinal nerve cords. Double labeling demonstrated an apparent co-localisation of FMRFamide and PP immunoreactivities in the same dense-cored vesicles, although populations of ellipsoidal electron-dense vesicles that labeled solely for FMRFamide were also evident. Antigen pre-absorption studies indicated little, if any, cross-reactivity of the two antisera.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Fasciola hepatica: localisation of glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in adult and juvenile liver fluke.

Four cDNA clones (GST-1, -7, -47, and -51) encoding isoenzymes of the detoxification enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) have previously been identified and characterised from Fasciola hepatica. In the present study, antisera were generated to synthetic peptides of regions unique to each of the four GST proteins predicted by the cDNAs. The antisera were characterised, and two were found to distinguish GST-1 from GST-7, GST-47, and GST-51 as a group. These two antisera were used to localise different GSTs in adult and newly excysted juvenile F. hepatica. The antiserum to GST-1 was specific and localised GST-1 to the parenchyma of adult fluke but not to the lamellae of the intestinal caeca. The antiserum to a GST-51 peptide, which cross-reacted with GST-7 and GST-47 but not GST-1, localised the other GSTs not only to the parenchyma but also to the intestinal lamellae of adult fluke. This appears to be the first evidence of tissue-specific expression of GST isoenzymes in trematodes. In contrast to adult fluke, immunolocalisation of the GSTs in juvenile F. hepatica revealed the binding of both the GST-1 and GST-51 antisera to the parenchymal cytoplasm, to cytoplasmic extensions of the parenchyma cells in the subtegumental area, as well as the excretory ducts. No labeling was observed in the intestinal epithelium of the juvenile fluke. These results demonstrate that adult F. hepatica, in contrast to juvenile flukes, contain a GST, which is not GST-1, associated with the lamellae of the gut and suggest that GSTs in adult fluke may play a role in the absorptive function of the adult gut.

Aging↗

PubMed1993

Fasciola hepatica: tegumental surface changes in adult and juvenile flukes following treatment in vitro with the sulphoxide metabolite of triclabendazole (Fasinex).

The effects of the novel benzimidazole, triclabendazole (Fasinex, Ciba-Geigy), in its active sulphoxide metabolite form (TCBZ-SX), on the tegumental surface of Fasciola hepatica has been examined in vitro. The tegument of adult flukes incubated in TCBZ-SX (50 micrograms/ml) appeared swollen and blebbed after only 6 h. In addition, progressive spine loss at the oral cone was evident following 12 h treatment. After 24 h, the tegumental syncytium and spines had completely sloughed away, leaving an exposed basal lamina and empty spine sockets. Juvenile flukes (3 weeks old) also demonstrated tegumental alterations after treatment with TCBZ-SX (20 micrograms/ml). The syncytium became extremely roughened and corrugated on both dorsal and ventral surfaces after only 3 h. Following 6- and 9-h incubations, there were many deep furrows, which were especially pronounced on the ventral surface, and by 18 h, the juvenile tegument was severely disrupted, especially on the ventral surface. In all cases, the effects were more marked than in the previous incubation periods. The results confirm the potent activity of triclabendazole against F. hepatica and suggest that the tegument of adult and juvenile flukes may be a target organ for this important fasciolicide.

Aging↗

PubMed1995

Comparative analyses of the neuropeptide F (NPF)- and FMRFamide-related peptide (FaRP)-immunoreactivities in Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma spp.

Immunochemical techniques were used to determine the distribution, chemical characteristics and relative abundance of immunoreactivity (IR) to two native platyhelminth neuropeptides, neuropeptide F (NPF) (Moniezia expansa) and the FMRFamide-related peptide (FaRP), GNFFRFamide, in the trematodes, Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma mansoni; the larger S. margrebowiei was used in the chemical analysis. Extensive immunostaining for the two peptides was demonstrated throughout the nervous systems of both F. hepatica and S. mansoni, with strong IR also in the innervation of muscular structures, including those associated with the egg-forming apparatus. The patterns of immunostaining were similar to those previously described for the vertebrate neuropeptide Y superfamily of peptides and for FMRFamide. Ultrastructurally, gold labelling of NPF- and GNFFRFamide-IRs was localized exclusively to the contents of secretory vesicles in the axons and somatic cytoplasm of neurones. Double-labelling experiments showed an apparent homogeneity of antigenic sites, in all probability due to the demonstrated cross-reactivity of the FaRP antiserum with NPF. Radioimmunoassay of acid-ethanol extracts of the worms detected 8.3 pmol/g and 4.7 pmol/g equivalents of NPF- and FMRFamide-IRs, respectively, for F. hepatica, and corresponding values of 4.9 pmol/g and 4.3 pmol/g equivalents for S. margrebowiei. Gel-permeation chromatography resolved IR to both peptides in discrete peaks and these eluted in similar positions to synthetic NPF (M. expansa) and GNFFRFamide, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1979

Efficacy of albendazole against Fasciola hepatica in sheep.

In series of 4 trials dose rates of 3.8, 4.75 and 7.5 mg/kg of albendazole were given to sheep either as a single or repeat dose such as may be given under field conditions. Efficacy against 6-to 7-week-old Fasciola hepatica ranged from 16.0% to 43.6%. Efficacy against mature 12- to 17-week-old fluke ranged from 74.4% to 94.5%.

Albendazole↗

PubMed1995

Avermectins and milbemycins against Fasciola hepatica: in vivo drug efficacy and in vitro receptor binding.

Few studies have examined activity against trematodes for the avermectin/milbemycin class of anthelmintics. To gain insight into this, 12 different members of the avermectin/milbemycin mode of action class were tested against juvenile Fasciola hepatica in a mouse model. The compounds chosen were Avermectin A1, Avermectin A2, Avermectin B1, Avermectin B2, Ivermectin, Ivermectin monosaccharide, Ivermectin aglycone, 13-deoxy ivermectin aglycone, Moxidectin, 13-O-methoxyethoxymethyl ivermectin aglycone, 4"-deoxy-4"-epi-methylamino avermectin B1, and 4"-deoxy-4"-epi-acetylamino avermectin B1 5-oxime. Each of these compounds was administered orally to 4 mice at 2.0 mg kg-1. These mice had been administered 3 metacercariae of F. hepatica 14 days prior to treatment and all mice were necropsied 4 days after treatment. At necropsy, none of the individual avermectin or milbemycin-treated groups showed any significant activity (P > 0.05) against juvenile F. hepatica relative to a vehicle-treated control. In a receptor binding study, adult F. hepatica that had been obtained from sheep were homogenized, their membranes incubated in the presence of 3H-ivermectin, and then measured for high affinity binding sites. The same was done with the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. While the C. elegans membranes displayed high affinity 3H-ivermectin binding sites over the range of ivermectin concentrations tested (5-100 nM), no significant 3H-ivermectin binding sites were detected in the F. hepatica membranes. Based on these data, it seems unlikely that any avermectin or milbemycin will show activity against F. hepatica, and certainly makes one pessimistic about possible activity of this mode of action class against trematodes in general.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Juvenile Fasciola hepatica are resistant to killing in vitro by free radicals compared with larvae of Schistosoma mansoni.

Free radicals have previously been shown to kill the immature stages of the trematode, Schistosoma mansoni but their effect on newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) flukes of Fasciola hepatica has not been established. Using acetaldehyde and xanthine oxidase to chemically generate reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI), up to 61% of NEJ were killed but only when exposed to high levels of ROI. At low concentrations of acetaldehyde and xanthine oxidase as sources of reactive oxygen intermediates, only 6-29% of NEJ were killed compared with 70-92% of schistosomula. Incubation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated rat peritoneal lavage cells (PLCs) killed only 7-15% of NEJ whereas 78-87% of schistosomula were killed under the same conditions by a mechanism dependent on the production of reactive nitrogen intermediates. Relative to immature and adult parasites, NEJ expressed 2.5-20-fold lower levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase but no catalase activity was detected. Incubation of NEJ with inhibitors of peroxidases and glutathione metabolism increased the mean killing of NEJ by LPS-stimulated rat PLCs to 40-75%. These results demonstrate that, in comparison to schistosomula of S. mansoni, NEJ of F. hepatica are relatively resistant to killing by free radicals and this resistance could, in part, be due to the activity of oxidant scavenger enzymes of NEJ.

Aldehyde Oxidoreductases↗