SERUM IGG RESPONSE OF MANCHEGO LAMBS TO INFECTIONS WITH HAEMONCHUS-CONTORTUS AND PRELIMINARY CHARACTERIZATION OF ADULT ANTIGENS

Manchego lambs (16-18 weeks old) were infected with 2500 infective larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus and challenged 2 months later with 5000 L3. The serum IgG anti-Haemonchus response was estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using soluble proteins from adults and L3. Previously infected Manchego lambs failed to mount a protective immune response against challenge, at least as assessed by faecal egg counts and pre-patency periods. Primary infection did not provoke any rise in specific anti-parasite serum antibodies, whereas a weak but significant rise was observed in challenged 6.5-month-old lambs which was very similar in both infected and non-infected lambs. The serum IgG anti-parasite response was higher against larval antigens than adult soluble proteins. Preliminary characterization of adult and larval soluble proteins by electrophoresis under reducing and denaturing conditions and Western blotting showed high cross-reactivity of both extracts. Immunoblots of adult H. contortus probed with infected and challenged lambs' sera did not yield conclusive results, although some low molecular weight peptides were recognized.