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PubMed1988

Acquired immunity in schistosomiasis with purified Fasciola hepatica cross-reactive antigens.

We have previously demonstrated that a Fasciola hepatica-derived adult worm antigen, which is cross-reactive with Schistosoma mansoni and designated FhSmIII(M), induces resistance to challenge infection with S. mansoni in mice. The current review concerns the methods developed to isolate and partially characterize a major component of FhSmIII(M), a 12-kDa polypeptide, as well as immunity studies involving this antigen. Utilizing conventional gel filtration, followed by diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) Sephadex A-120 and monitoring the fractions by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot techniques (EITB), we were able to isolate the 12-kDa antigenic polypeptide to homogeneity. Conventional gel filtration chromatography was followed by high-pressure, liquid anion, exchange chromatography, when highly purified material was needed, although the effective yields diminished drastically with the latter. Mice, rabbits and calves with a primary infection of F. hepatica developed antibodies (detectable in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to the F. hepatica 12-kDa polypeptide within 2 weeks of infection. Mice with a primary infection of S. mansoni developed significant, but low, levels of anti-12-kDa antibodies by 7 weeks post-infection. Immunization of mice with microgram amounts of this 12-kDa polypeptide in Freunds' adjuvant resulted in the development of up to 77% less S. mansoni worms than the controls. Treatment with either endoglycosidase H, neuraminidase or dithiothreitol had no effect on the protein's mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-PAGE or in its recognition by antibodies, suggesting the absence of carbohydrate moieties or disulphide bonds in relation to its antigenic determinants. Degradation by proteinase K further confirmed its polypeptide nature and points to recombinant DNA technology for the large-scale manufacture of this potential vaccine. Further use of this antigen in immunity studies should greatly contribute to the clarification of the mechanisms involved in cross-resistance against schistosomiasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Liver pathology and immune response in experimental Fasciola hepatica infections of goats.

The relationship between the immune response and the pathogenesis of the disease was studied in different primary and secondary experimental Fasciola hepatica infections of goats. The establishment of the infection, measured as percentage of recovered flukes at the necropsy, was similar in primarily and secondarily infected animals (between 19.7% and 24.3%), but the hepatic damage was much more severe in secondarily infected goats, as revealed by the levels of serum hepatic enzymes GGT and LDH. Primary infection evolves to chronic fasciolosis that did not induce the development of resistance, since goats were highly susceptible to secondary infection, showing severe acute and chronic hepatic lesions that led to the death of some animals in each group. The immune response to the infection was proved by the production of specific IgG antibodies to ESP of F. hepatica and the involvement of CD3+ T lymphocytes and lambda IgG+ plasma cells in the hepatic infiltrate. Secondary infection did not induce any difference in either IgG response or in the cellular composition of the infiltrate of hepatic lesions, although this was much more extended. However, neither antibodies nor cell-mediated response were protective: there was no correlation between IgG levels and fluke burden and there was no evidence of cell-mediated killing of the parasite. This suggests the existence of some immune evasion mechanisms in goat infection with F. hepatica. The parasite may depress the local inflammatory and immune response, as suggested by the scarcity of CD3+ T cells in the infiltrate surrounding acute migratory tunnels. Moreover, in secondary infected goats can be suspected an immunological damage of the liver, since a very severe infiltrate of immune cells replaced wide areas of hepatic parenchyma and an immune-mediated damage of hepatocytes could occur.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Vaccination of sheep against Fasciola hepatica with homologous fatty acid binding proteins.

The current study was designed to test the immunoprophylactic properties of native (nFh12) and recombinant (rFh15) antigens from Fasciola hepatica in sheep subsequently infected with the fluke. Thirty lambs were divided into six groups according to various patterns of immunisation and times of infection and necropsy. The antigens were emulsified in Freund's adjuvant. Levels of specific anti-nFh12 and anti-rFh15 antibodies rose rapidly by 2 weeks after the first immunisation and were always significantly higher in immunised-infected sheep than in control-infected sheep. On completion of the trial there was no difference in fluke burden between groups vaccinated with either of the antigens and non-immunised controls. However, worm size and faecal egg counts were significantly diminished in the sheep vaccinated with either of the antigens, suggesting an anti-fecundity effect. This is the first report of experimental vaccination of sheep against F. hepatica with purified native and recombinant antigens related to fatty acid binding proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

The effect of immunosuppressants on experimental infection with Fasciola hepatica.

Results are presented on the effect of immunosuppressive substances such as chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, amethopterine and a cortizone derivate of betamethasone, on the development of Fasciola hepatica in the rat. The suppression of the immune response of the host to immunosuppressants was reflected in an earlier start of migration of the flukes to the common bile duct, and in an earlier onset of egg production as compared with that in the controls. Of the substances employed, cyclophosphamide and betamethasone were the most effective ones within the period from week 2--6 p.i., which is the time during which the migration of the flukes in the liver parenchyma is highest. Pathological changes in the liver of the animals were less marked than those of the infected controls. Evidence was obtained on an increased pathogenicity of infective larval flukes causing a higher mortality of the hosts in comparison with that of the control animals. On the other hand, the administration of immunosuppressants did neither influence the total number of developed flukes nor the appearance of eosinophilia in the peripheral blood of the treated animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 in male Holstein calves with prior infection by flukes (Fasciola hepatica).

This experiment was designed to compare 3 dose levels of aflatoxin B1 (0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg of body weight) and 2 infection levels of Fasciola hepatica metacercariae (0 and 220) to determine whether an additive effect from aflatoxin B1 occurs when fascioliasis is present in dairy calves. Twenty-four male, Holstein calves, 4 weeks old, and averaging 45.8 kg each, were assigned at random to 6 treatment groups, 4 calves per group: group 1--negative control; group 2--0.5 mg of aflatoxin B1/kg; group 3--1.0 mg of aflatoxin B1/kg group 4--220 metacercariae; group 5--220 metacercariae plus 0.5 mg of aflatoxin B1/kg; and group 6-220 metacercariae plus 1.0 mg of aflatoxin B1/kg. The single oral dose of 220 metacercariae was given (groups 4, 5, and 6) at the start of the 10-week experiment, and 5 weeks later, the single oral dose of aflatoxin B1 was given (groups 2, 3, 5, 6). Results from the principals, as compared with that from the controls (group 1), included significant decreases of dry matter intake (P less than 0.006), body weight (P less than 0.024), and serum albumin (P less than 0.04), and in groups 4, 5, and 6 infected with 220 flukes, there were significantly increased values of prothrombin time (P less than 0.014), serum alkaline phosphatase (P less than 0.04), and serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (P less than 0.007). Significant differences in number of flukes recovered from liver were seen in groups 4 to 6 given 0, 0.5, and 1.0 mg of aflatoxin B1/kg (P less than 0.046). The single oral dose of 22* fluke metacercariae in groups 4, 5, and 6 resulted in significantly increased concentrations of serum total protein (P less than 0.003) and globulins (P less than 0.01). Results from the development of the flukes from metacercariae to the mature state with sizes, numbers, feeding habits, and pathologic lesions were described. Differences in numbers of flukes recovered from liver of groups 4 to 6 and the presence of pneumonia in calves of group 6 indicated aflatoxin B1 produced persisting, lowered resistance. In all animals necropsied, the liver was the organ most affected by aflatoxin B1 as well as with flukes. Periportal fibrosis, monocytic infiltration, fatty infiltration, and bile duct proliferation were the usual lesions induced by aflatoxin B1. Additive toxic effects were observed in the groups 5 and 6 dosed with flukes and aflatoxin B1, with significant variations of serum and plasma values, as well as increased severity of histopathologic changes.

Aflatoxins↗
PubMed2003

Molluscicidal action of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii N.E.B. ("Christ's Crown") (Euphorbiaceae) against Lymnaea columella (Say, 1817) (Pulmonata: Lymnaeidae), intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus, 1758 (Trematode: Fasciolidae): 1- test in laboratory.

The latex action of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii (Christ's Crown) against snails Lymnaea columella, intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica, derived from irrigation ditches of the Station of Pisciculture at Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, was studied in the laboratory. Lab bioassays, using aqueous solutions of the latex, varying between 0.1 and 10 mg/l, have proven molluscicidal activity of the product collected on the same day the tests were performed, during the four seasons of the year, finding the following lethal concentrations (LC90): 1.51 mg/l in the spring; 0.55 mg/l in the summer; 0.74 mg/l in the fall and 0.93 mg/l in winter, after 24 h exposure of the snails, showing significant differences among the seasons of the year (ANOVA test, F = 11.01, G.L.= 3/33, p < 0.05), as well as among the concentrations (ANOVA test, F = 27.38, G.L.= 11/33, p < 0.05). In the summer, mortality reached 100% from concentration at 0.6 mg/l, the same during fall and in winter as of 1 mg/l, while in spring it only reached 100% mortality as of 2 mg/l. Mortality in the controls was low, reaching 5% in the summer and winter and 10% in the fall and spring. None of the samples died. During the assay, with an aqueous solution of the latex at a concentration of 5 mg/l, in order to check the time of duration of the product effect, in the laboratory, it was observed that the molluscicidal activity remained stable up to the 15th day after the beginning of the test with 100% mortality of L. columella, gradually losing its effect until the 23rd day, when we no longer observed animal mortality. In the control group, there was a random daily variation in mortality rate ranging 0-50% after 48 h of observation for 30 days.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1990

The efficacy of triclabendazole and other anthelmintics against Fasciola hepatica in controlled studies in cattle.

In eight controlled tests 274 cattle were used to assess the efficacies of triclabendazole, albendazole, clorsulon, nitroxynil, oxyclozanide and rafoxanide against Fasciola hepatica. Against one-, two- and four-week-old early immature fluke the mean efficacies of triclabendazole given orally at 12 mg/kg were 88.1, 95.3 and 90.7 per cent, respectively. Clorsulon, nitroxynil and rafoxanide administered at recommended dose rates showed negligible activity against these stages of the parasite. Against six- and eight-week-old infections the mean efficacies of triclabendazole at 12 mg/kg were 87.5 per cent and 95.7 per cent, respectively. Against F hepatica aged six weeks, albendazole and oxyclozanide showed no activity and clorsulon, nitroxynil and rafoxanide had only slight to moderate activity. The efficacies of triclabendazole, clorsulon, nitroxynil and rafoxanide against 10- or 12-week-old parasites were 100, 99.0, 99.1 and 90.1 per cent, respectively. Albendazole and oxyclozanide showed poor efficacy against 12-week-old infections.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Activity of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii N.E.B. (Euphorbiaceae) latex against Lymnaea columella (Say, 1817) (Pulmonata: Lymnaeidae), intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica, Linnaeus, 1758 (Trematoda: Fasciolidae). 2: limited field-testing.

The molluscicidal evaluation of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii (Crown of thorns) against Lymnaea columella snails, intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica, in irrigation ditches of the Pisciculture Station at Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, was studied under limited field conditions. An aqueous solution of the latex at 5 mg/l was tested in two irrigation ditches (experimental and control ditches), after initial sampling of the snail population present. Twenty-four hours after application of the product, it was verified that 97.4% of free L. columella snails and 100% of snails of the same species captive in cages and used as sentinels at three points equidistant from the application site in the experimental ditch, died. For Biomphalaria tenagophila and Melanoides tuberculata snails, present in the experimental ditch, the mortality was 100%, for the species Pomacea spp. the mortality was 40%. No mortality was verified in the free mollusks, or in the sentinels in the ditch used as control. E. splendens var. hislopii latex is thus an efficient natural molluscicide, which may be used as an alternative control agent against L. columella.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

The anthelmintic efficacy of albendazole against Fasciola hepatica and benzimidazole resistant strains of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in sheep.

The anthelmintic efficacy of albendazole (methyl [5-(propylthio) - 1H - benzimidazole -2 -yl] carbamate) against immature and adult Fasciola hepatica and against standardised strains of benzimidazole resistant Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis was evaluated in experimentally infected sheep. A single intrarumenal treatment of dose rates of 3.8 and 7.6 mg/kg was ineffective against immature (six weeks old) F hepatica. Dose rates of 5.7 and 7.6 mg/kg reduced the number of mature (12 weeks old) F hepatica by 70 and 91 per cent respectively. Dose rates of 5.7 and 7.6 mg/kg removed 92 and 99 per cent of four-week-old, benzimidazole resistant H contortus and 89 and 99 per cent of four-week-old, benzimidazole resistant T colubriformis.

Animals↗