Immune response of goats immunised with glutathione S-transferase and experimentally challenged with Fasciola hepatica

Parasitol Int. 2010 Jun;59(2):147-53. doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2009.12.005. Epub 2009 Dec 24.

Abstract

Glutathione S-transferase (FhGST) purified from Fasciola hepatica adult worms was used to immunise goats against F. hepatica in an experimental infection; the level of protection, in terms of fluke burden, faecal egg counts and hepatic damage was determined, as well as the humoral and cellular immune response elicited. Animals were allocated into three groups of six animals each: group 1 (immunised with FhGST and infected), group 2 (unimmunised and infected), and group 3 (unimmunised and uninfected). There was no significant reduction of fluke burden (9.3%) or faecal egg counts; hepatic damage was also similar in both infected groups. However, immunisation with FhGST induced the development of a well-defined immune response, characterized by the production of specific-FhGST antibodies as well as the appearance of circulating IL-4.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Fasciola hepatica / enzymology
  • Fasciola hepatica / pathogenicity*
  • Fascioliasis / immunology
  • Fascioliasis / parasitology
  • Fascioliasis / prevention & control
  • Fascioliasis / veterinary*
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Glutathione Transferase / administration & dosage*
  • Glutathione Transferase / immunology
  • Goat Diseases / immunology
  • Goat Diseases / parasitology
  • Goat Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Goats / immunology
  • Immunization / methods*
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism*
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Parasite Egg Count

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Interleukin-4
  • Glutathione Transferase