SCHISTOSOMA-BOVIS WHOLE EGG ANTIGEN DID NOT PROTECT ZEBU CALVES AGAINST EXPERIMENTAL SCHISTOSOMOSIS

Six calves were immunized with whole egg antigen of Schistosoma bovis emulsified in Freund's adjuvant. The immune response was monitored by agar-gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Using AGID and ELISA, antibodies to whole egg antigen were detected in sera from all immunized calves, but not in sera from control calves. The immunized calves and six control calves were challenged 6 months after the beginning of the immunization with 20 000 cercariae of Schistosoma bovis administered percutaneously to the shaved tail. There was no significant difference between the immunized and the control calves as judged by fecal and tissue egg counts, worm recovery and hematological parameters. There was a lack of association between antibody production and protection.