Abstract
Pre-natal infection of Schistosoma japonicum in pigs may prove to be a useful model in shedding light on human pre-natal schistosomiasis. This study describes the effects of immune colostrum on worm burdens, tissue egg counts, liver pathology and crude worm or egg antigen-specific IgG and IgA responses, in groups of pigs pre-natally, pre-natally + post-natally or post-natally exposed to S. japonicum. Results suggest that pre-natal exposure and immune colostrum did not affect the establishment of a post-natal challenge infection. However, immune colostrum seemed to increase the levels of septal fibrosis in pre-natally exposed pigs. These findings indicate that further investigations will prove valuable, elucidating the influence of the parasitological and immunological status of the sow, on pre-natally exposed pigs, and on the ability of these pigs to develop resistance against S. japonicum later in life.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Parasitology |
Volume | 129 |
Issue number | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 597-604 |
ISSN | 0031-1820 |
Publication status | Published - 2004 |
Keywords
- IgA
- colostrum
- pre-natal exposure
- IgG
- Schistosoma japonicum