Kinetics of serum immunoglobulin isotype response in experimental bovine tropical fasciolosis

The present communication reports on the kinetics of immunoglobulin isotype response in Fasciola gigantica infected bovine calves. Fifteen Holstein-Friesian cross-bred male calves were assigned to 3 groups (Gr) of 5 calves each and infected with 4-month (Gr-A) and 16-month-old (Gr-B) F. gigantica metacercariae (n = 400), respectively, while Gr-C calves served as uninfected control. Infection was terminated by treating the animals with triclabendazole on 28 weeks post-infection (WPI). Sera were collected on 0, 4, 10 and 14 days post-infection (DPI) and subsequently at weekly interval up to 32 WPI. The immunoglobulin isotype response was analyzed by ELISA, using anion exchange purified antigen fraction. An IgG response against F. gigantica infection was evoked by 3 and 2 WPI in animals of Gr-A and Gr-B, respectively with peak antibody response at 13 WPI. Elicitation of an early IgG1 response by 10 and 14 DPI but a delayed IgG2 response at 6 and 4 WPI, in animals of Gr-A and Gr-B, respectively was recorded. An early IgM response was evoked by 10 and 14 DPI and the level peaked at 13 and 12 WPI, with no detectable level at 21 and 15 WPI in animals of Gr-A and Gr-B, respectively. IgA response was elicited at 4 WPI in both the groups and showed the highest titre at 25 and 27 WPI in animals of Gr-A and Gr-B, respectively. Present study indicated an early and predominant response of IgG1, with concurrent expression of delayed and weak IgG2 in calves experimentally infected with F. gigantica.