This study investigated the presence of cytokines interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukins (IL) -6 and -8 in serum of cattle and buffaloes infected with Fasciola gigantica from one to 16 weeks post-infection to determine their T cell response during infection. The concentration of these cytokines was determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No IFN-gamma was detected in these animals while IL-6 was elevated from one to 16 weeks postinfection. Levels of IL-8 were also elevated in infected buffaloes from one to 16 weeks post-infection. A predominantly T helper (Th) 2 response which started early in the infection was apparently present in cattle and buffaloes in this study which was characterised by IL-6. IL-8 production could be another mechanism of immune response in buffaloes during infection with F. gigantica.
Animals ; Buffaloes/blood/immunology/*parasitology ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/*immunology/*parasitology ; Cytokines/*blood/immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/veterinary ; Fasciola/*immunology ; Fascioliasis/immunology/parasitology/*veterinary ; Interferon Type II/blood ; Interleukin-6/blood ; Interleukin-8/blood ; Random Allocation