A study of the liver of goats immunized with a synthetic peptide of the Sm14 antigen and challenged with Fasciola hepatica

J Comp Pathol. 2008 Nov;139(4):169-76. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2008.06.004. Epub 2008 Sep 3.

Abstract

A synthetic peptide of the Sm14 antigen of Schistosoma mansoni was used to immunize goats against experimental challenge with Fasciola hepatica. The goats used consisted of: group 1 (unimmunized and uninfected [controls]); group 2 (unimmunized and infected); group 3 (immunized and infected). Compared with group 2, the animals of group 3 showed at necropsy a reduction in hepatic worm burden; however, because of variability in the two groups this reduction was not statistically significant. A gross morphometric study of the hepatic changes revealed a correlation between lesions and worm burdens in group 3. No significant differences in damaged areas were found between groups 2 and 3, except that group 2 had more severe bile duct hyperplasia. A striking hepatic inflammatory infiltration of CD3+ T lymphocytes and IgG+ plasma cells was found in both groups 2 and 3, especially the latter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology
  • CD3 Complex / metabolism
  • Fasciola hepatica / immunology
  • Fascioliasis / pathology
  • Fascioliasis / prevention & control*
  • Fascioliasis / veterinary
  • Fatty Acid Transport Proteins / immunology*
  • Goat Diseases / immunology
  • Goat Diseases / pathology
  • Goat Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Goats
  • Helminth Proteins / immunology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Liver / immunology
  • Liver / microbiology
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Male
  • Plasma Cells / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Vaccination / methods*

Substances

  • Antigens, Helminth
  • CD3 Complex
  • Fatty Acid Transport Proteins
  • Helminth Proteins
  • SM14 protein, Schistosoma mansoni