1.Immune response in Blackbelly lambs to Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis mixed infection in a hot and humid climate
Gonzá ; lez-Garduñ ; o, R. ; Ló ; pez-Arellano, M.E. ; Mendoza-de Gives, P., Torres-Herná ; ndez, G ; Arece-Garcí ; a, J.
Tropical Biomedicine 2018;35(3):696-708
The main objective was to determine the immune response of Blackbelly lambs
infected with Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, or both species. In
the first stage, an experimental challenge was performed with 200 infective larvae (L3)/kg
body weight (BW) of H. contortus (Hct, n = 8). Additionally, eight animals were infected with
500 L3/kg BW of T. colubriformis (Tcl), eight lambs with the mixed infection at the same dose
(HctTcl), and lambs without infection were the control group. In the second infection, the
same lambs were reinfected with high doses: 400 L3/kg BW of Hct and 900 L3/kg BW of Tcl.
The third stage consisted of a natural reinfection in grazing. Faecal samples were taken to
determine the faecal egg count (FEC) of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). IgA was
determined in serum and saliva by an indirect Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA).
The haematological parameters were recorded. With the first challenge, it was not possible
to promote an immune response, whereas in the second infection, FEC were higher than 1000
eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) in infected animals. During the third stage, FECs were higher
in lambs infected with Tcl. Eosinophils (EOS) did not show differences in the first and second
stages, but during grazing the infected lambs had higher counts than the control group (P <
0.05). IgA activity values showed the same trend, and lambs infected with HctTcl had a
higher response (33% of the positive standard) than groups mono-infected (16.5% and 22.6%,
respectively).