Trematode larvae in Lymnaea rubiginosa and their definitive host in irrigated rice fields in West Java

The aim of this study was to identify trematodes which utilise Lymnaea rubiginosa as the fast intermediate host. This study was conducted in irrigated rice fields in Bogor regency and at Surade, West Java. A total of 3,253 L rubiginosa were collected from irrigated rice fields from Bogor regency and 2,875 from Surade. The results showed that cercariae of echinostomes, strigeid, Trichobilharzia sp. and Xiphidiocercariae were found in snails from Bogor regency, whereas Xiphidiocereariae and cereariae of Fasciola gigantica, Schistosoma sp . and echinostomes were found in snails from Surade . The larval echinostomes found in L. rubiginosa and adult echinostomes in domestic ducks and village chickens which grazed harvested rice fields in Bogor regency were both identified as Echinostoma revolution. The adult echinostomes were not found in the 24 rats, 11 lizards and 35 frogs caught in the vicinity of the Bogor regency . The possible sources of strigeids, Trichobilharzia and Xiphidiocercariae are discussed

The use of Wonnolas in controlling gastrointestinal nematode infections in sheep under traditional grazing management in Indonesia

Blocks containing 3% phenothiazine in solidified molasses (Wonnolas, Animeal Australia Ltd .) were tested to control gastrointestinal nematode infections and the effect on mineral status in sheep in villages in Cirebon, Indonesia. Two hundred and thirteen Javanese Thin Tail sheep which were grazed during the day and housed at night were divided into two groups on the basis of location . One group was allowed in an access to Wonnolas blocks when penned for 24 weeks while the other group remained untreated. The bodyweight was recorded and faecal samples were collected for egg counts and larval culture every four weeks. Sera and saliva samples were collected from 20 adult sheep in each group at weeks 0, 12 and 24 for mineral analysis by AAS and colorimetry. The results indicated that the mean egg counts of the treated group decreased from 576 epg to 123 epg and the percentage of sheep producing viable larvae decreased from 50% to 24%. In contrast egg counts of the control group increased from 768 epg to 4,840 epg and the percentage of sheep producing viable larvae increased from 65% to 84% over the same period . In the treated group the number of Haenronchus larvae declined significantly (36% to 6 %) and at the end of the trial Tiichostrongylus larvae predominanted in larval cultures (80%) . Mineral analysis revealed deficiencies in sodium and copper, low levels of zinc and normal levels of potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus . Wormolas had a significant effect on sodium and zinc status but not on copper although sufficient levels of this element were available. Comparison of bodyweight gains showed a significantly (P0.05) higher rate of increase in the treated animals

Comparative studies of resistance on Indonesian Thin Tail (ITT) sheep, St. Croix, merino and the crossbreed of ITT and St. Croix, against the infection of Fasciola gigantica

resistance is heritable. In order to re-evaluate this evidence, 20 ITT sheep were infected with 350 metacercariae of F. gigantica and for comparison, 10 St. Croix sheep, 10 Merino sheep and 20 crossbred of ITT x St. Croix sheep were also infected with the same dose of metacercariae. The results showed that ITT sheep was highly resistant than the other breed, whereas St. Croix and Merino sheep were susceptible. 60% of the crossbred were as resistant as ITT sheep and the other 40% were as susceptible as the St. Croix sheep. Thus, it is proposed that there might be a hereditary resistance factor such as a dominant gene which inducing the mechanism of resistance in ITT sheep, and there is some indication that IgG2 might act as a blocking antibody that interferes the mechanism of resistance.   Key words : ITT sheep, Fasciola gigantica, genetic resistance, dominant gen

The effect of the liver fluke Fasciola gigantica infestation on the leucocyte eosinophil cell profile on sheep

Eosinophil is one of the major leucocyte cell in the blood which specifically reacted on parasite infection, thus it is important to determine its profile against the F. gigantica infection. The aims of this study is to determine the differences of the eosinophil count profiles on the different breed of sheep infected with F. gigantica and its relation with the resistance of sheep bred against parasitic disease. Four groups of sheep consist of Indonesian Thin Tail (ITT) sheep, Merino sheep, backcross sheep (10 families) and F2 sheep were infected with 300 metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica. The total sheep used in this trial is 621. Those sheep were observed for 12 weeks and the blood samples were collected every 2 weeks after infection. The results showed that total eosinophil counts in all infected sheep increased after two weeks post infection and ITT sheep showed the highest counts. On the other hand, the mean fluke counts on ITT sheep is the lowest compared with the other groups of sheep. Merino and F2 sheep had the highest mean fluke counts. Three families of backcross sheep had the mean flukes count similar to ITT sheep and the other 7 families were similar to the Merino sheep. In conclusion, the highest total eosinophil count at the early stage of infection on ITT sheep might be related with the genetic resistance, which was showed by the lowest flukes count, and the resistance was inherited to some of the backcross sheep, which had similar flukes count with ITT sheep.   Key words: Fasciola gigantica, eosinophil, shee

In vitro studies: The role of immunological cells in Indonesian thin tail sheep in the killing of the liver fluke, Fasciola gigantica

Previous studies have shown that Indonesian Thin Tail (ET) sheep exhibit high resistance to challenge with Fasciola gigantica when compared with Merino sheep, and this resistance is expressed in early infection. In order to study the role of the immune system in this resistance to ET sheep, in vitro studies were undertaken in the laboratory. In vitro study to confirm the ability of immune cells from ET sheep in the killing of F. gigantica larvae has been done by incubating immune cells and F. gigantica larvae together with immune sera or normal sera. The viability of the larvae was observed over a period 3 days incubation by observing their motility. The results showed that the cells isolated from F. gigantica- challenged ET sheep in the presence of immune sera from ET were able to kill 70% of the larvae. In contrast, cells from infected Merino were unable to kill a significant number of F. gigantica using the same sera source. It seems that the cytotoxicity was dependent on the presence of immune sera and ET peritoneal cells, suggesting the potential role of an antibody-dependent cell cytotoxic (ADCC) mechanism in the resistant ET sheep.Key words: In vitro, Fasciola gigantica, peritoneal cell, sheep gigantica

The immune responses on cattle and buffaloes infected with Fasciola gigantica before and after treatment

The immune responses of cattle and buffaloes against the infection of liver flukes Fasciola gigantica were observed by ELISA. Six cattle and 6 buffaloes were infected orally with 700 metacercariae of F. gigantica, 2 cattle and 2 buffaloes were remained uninfected as control animals. Serum blood samples were collected weekly and the antibody levels were monitored before and after treatment. The results showed that the antibody level on cattle increased after 2 weeks post-infection, then gradually increased until reaching the peak at II weeks after infection. In the contrary, the antibody level on buffaloes appeared slower than on cattle, it increased after 13 weeks of infection and reach the peak at 25 weeks after infection. When the antibodylevels reach the peak, both groups of infected animals were treated with triclabendazole. After treatment, the antibody level oncattle was immediately decreased at one week of treatment, and gradually decreased up to the lowest antibody level at 7 weeks after treatment. The response of the treatment on buffaloes showed almost similar pattern, the antibody level decreased after one week of treatment, then remained constant for about 4 weeks, and reach the lowest antibody level at 7 weeks after treatment. It is concluded that the immune responses against the infection of F. gigantica in cattle and buffaloes are different, but the response of the treatment with triclabendazole are similar.   Key words: Fasciola gigantica, cattle, buffaloes, antibody levels, triclabendazol

The immune responses on cattle and buffaloes infected with Fasciola gigantica before and after treatment

The immune responses of cattle and buffaloes against the infection of liver flukes Fasciola gigantica were observed by ELISA. Six cattle and 6 buffaloes were infected orally with 700 metacercariae of F. gigantica, 2 cattle and 2 buffaloes were remained uninfected as control animals. Serum blood samples were collected weekly and the antibody levels were monitored before and after treatment. The results showed that the antibody level on cattle increased after 2 weeks post-infection, then gradually increased until reaching the peak at II weeks after infection. In the contrary, the antibody level on buffaloes appeared slower than on cattle, it increased after 13 weeks of infection and reach the peak at 25 weeks after infection. When the antibodylevels reach the peak, both groups of infected animals were treated with triclabendazole. After treatment, the antibody level oncattle was immediately decreased at one week of treatment, and gradually decreased up to the lowest antibody level at 7 weeks after treatment. The response of the treatment on buffaloes showed almost similar pattern, the antibody level decreased after one week of treatment, then remained constant for about 4 weeks, and reach the lowest antibody level at 7 weeks after treatment. It is concluded that the immune responses against the infection of F. gigantica in cattle and buffaloes are different, but the response of the treatment with triclabendazole are similar

Antibody fluctuations of infected cattle with Fasciola gigantica and the effect of triclabendazole treatment

Observation on the antibody fluctuations of infected cattle with metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica and the effect of triclabendazole treatment were made by means of ELISA technique. Seven cattle were infected with 700 metacercariae and one cattle remained uninfected, as negative control animal. Treatment with triclabendazole was given to 6 cattle, when the mean antibody levels of infected cattle reached the peak, and the other one remained untreated, as positive control animal. One week after treatment the mean antibody levels started to drop and then decreased gradually. After eight weeks of treatment, the mean antibody levels of the treated cattle reached the lowest level or the same value as before infection, thereafter, 6 cattle were reinfected with different dosages of metacercariae of F. gigantica. Two cattle were infected with 400 metacercariae, the other two were infected with 600 metacercariae and the rest of them were infected with 800 metacercariae. The results showed that the immunological responses of re-infected cattle are quicker (5 weeks after infection) and the peak of the antibody levels are higher (ELISA OD = 1.7) than after the first infection (11 weeks after infection and ELISA OD = 1.2). However, after re-infection, there were no significant different on the antibody fluctuations and antibody levels among the infected group, although those cattle received different dosages.   Key words: Antibody, cattle, Fasciola gigantica, EL

Antibody fluctuations of infected cattle with Fasciola gigantica and the effect of triclabendazole treatment

Observation on the antibody fluctuations of infected cattle with metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica and the effect of triclabendazole treatment were made by means of ELISA technique. Seven cattle were infected with 700 metacercariae and one cattle remained uninfected, as negative control animal. Treatment with triclabendazole was given to 6 cattle, when the mean antibody levels of infected cattle reached the peak, and the other one remained untreated, as positive control animal. One week after treatment the mean antibody levels started to drop and then decreased gradually. After eight weeks of treatment, the mean antibody levels of the treated cattle reached the lowest level or the same value as before infection, thereafter, 6 cattle were reinfected with different dosages of metacercariae of F. gigantica. Two cattle were infected with 400 metacercariae, the other two were infected with 600 metacercariae and the rest of them were infected with 800 metacercariae. The results showed that the immunological responses of re-infected cattle are quicker (5 weeks after infection) and the peak of the antibody levels are higher (ELISA OD = 1.7) than after the first infection (11 weeks after infection and ELISA OD = 1.2). However, after re-infection, there were no significant different on the antibody fluctuations and antibody levels among the infected group, although those cattle received different dosages

In vitro killing assays of antisera antibody sheep post-infected with Fasciola gigantica with the presence of macrophages cells against homologous and heterologous liver flukes

The previous artificial infection known that the Indonesian Thin Tail (ITT) sheep was resistance against the liver fluke of Fasciola gigantica, the resistances occurred in the early infection. In order to observe the immune resistance, some in vitro studies were undertaken in the laboratory, to assay the ability of the antisera antibody of ITT sheep post-infected with F. gigantica, with the presence of macrophages cells in killing the homologous and heterologous liver flukes. The viability of liver flukes were observed within 24-72 hours of incubation period by observing their motility (motile flukes were designated live and non-motile once were death). The results showed that after 72 hours incubation, the motilities of the Newly Excysted Juvenile (NEJ) of F. gigantica incubated with the presence of post-infected sera and macrophages cells solution were significantly lower (P0.05) than that of normal sheep sera. On the contrary, the post-infected sera and macrophages cells solution did not reduce the motilities of the NEJ of F. hepatica, and the death of these flukes were not significantly reduced (P 0.05). It seems that the occurrence of homologous antibody to the antigens is very important in the development of killing mechanism. The absence of homologous antibody did not reduce the number of flukes or the ability of macrophages cells in killing F. hepatica was not apparent.   Key words : In vitro studies, ITT sheep, macrophages cells, Fasciola gigantica, Fasciola hepatic