Homologous and heterologous resistance in Echinostoma revolutum infections in mice

Abstract

SummaryHomologous and heterologous resistance in Echinostoma revolutum infections was studied in mice. A high level of homologous resistance was demonstrated in mice harbouring a 13-day-old primary E. revolutum infection with 9–10 and 11–15 worms, corresponding to a 70·0 and 66·7% reduction in the size of the established worm burden as compared with that of the challenge control group. A 14- and 20-day-old primary infection with 3–4 worms induced a level of resistance of 61·7 and 81·8% respectively, while higher worm levels of 9–10 and 11–15 induced almost complete resistance corresponding to a 95·1–100% reduction in the size of the established worm burden. Complete resistance was also demonstrated in mice challenged 8 days after elimination of a 20-day-old primary infection with 11–15 worms by anthelmintic treatment. A primary 43-day-old Schistosoma mansoni infection induced a 73·1% reduction in the size of the established E. revolutum challenge infection while infections of an age of 79 and 99 days conferred complete resistance to heterologous challenge with E. revolutum. Primary pre-patent S. mansoni infections and a patent S. bovis infection of an age of 56 days did not induce any resistance to challenge with E. revolutum. A primary 14- and 21-day-old infection of E. revolutum did not stimulate any significant level of resistance to heterologous challenge with S. mansoni.