Population dynamics in echinococcosis and cysticercosis: regulation ofTaenia hydatigenaandT. ovisin lambs through passively transferred immunity

Abstract

SUMMARYA comparison has been made of the interactions between passively transferred and actively acquired immunity in regulating populations ofTaenia hydatigenaandT. ovis.When ewes were grazed prior to parturition under a high infection pressure, immunity was transferred to their offspring for up to 8 weeks. A qualititative difference between the species was the destruction of larvalT. ovisprior to their establishment (‘pre-encystment immunity’) and that ofT. hydatigenaafter they had become established (‘post-encystment immunity’) in the challenged lambs. The major difference in terms of population regulation between the two parasites was that infection occurred withT. hydatigenabut not withT. ovisin those lambs reared from birth for 16 weeks under high infection pressure. Passive, like active immunity, is a density-dependent constraint. It plays an important role in the population regulation ofT. ovis, but not ofT. hydatigena. This is discussed in terms of transmission in the natural environment, an hypothesis on humoral protection and the need to elucidate pathways of protection when immunization schedules are being evaluated for controlling the taeniid zoonoses.