The interaction of Trypanosoma congolense and Haemonchus contortus in Djallonke sheep

The interaction between Trypanosoma congolense and Haemonchus contortus was studied in 5 groups of 8 Djallonke sheep. Two groups received a single infection with either H. contortus or T. congolense, and 2 groups were infected with T. congolense followed by H. contortus (TH) or vice versa (HT). One group was kept as uninfected controls. Mortality due to infection was observed only in the dual infection groups. In the TH group, the effects were more acute whereas in the HT group they were more chronic. No significant differences in weight gain could be demonstrated between infected and control groups. Djallonke sheep are able to withstand a single infection with either T. congolense or H. contortus, which confirms their trypanotolerant nature and provides preliminary indication of resistance against helminth infections. However, when exposed to successive infections with both parasites, some of the animals lose this tolerance. (C) 1997 Australian Society for Parasitology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.