Size Of Worm Burden Research Articles

Interspecific interactions in naturally acquired nematode communities from sheep abomasum in relation to age of host and season in four areas of Leon (Spain)

The abomasa of naturally infected ewes (407) and lambs (190) from four areas of León were collected weekly over 2 years in the abattoir of León (north-west Spain). The major species and morphs found were Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus axei and to a lesser extent Marshallagia marshalli and Teladorsagia trifurcata. The putative interactions between species were assessed by Euclidian distances based on the results of multivariate analyses. The estimation of interaction was either based on mean intensities of worm burdens or on frequencies of nematode species within individual hosts. The areas, years, seasons and categories of sheep (ewes or lambs) did not influence the interaction estimates. These were not dependent upon the size of worm burden. The majority of interactions were positive. Slight negative interactions were found only with T. circumcincta-T. axei, T. circumcincta-M. marshalli and M. marshalli-T. axei. Positive interactions were recorded between the less frequent species.

Association between circulating antigen and parasite load in a model filarial system,Acanthocheilonema viteaein jirds

Jirds (Meriones libycus) were infected with various numbers of Acanthocheilonema viteae L3 stage parasites. During the course of the ensuing 16 weeks, blood samples were collected at 2 weekly intervals and the amount of the major parasite excretory-secretory product (E-S 62) and antibodies directed against it measured. After 16 weeks, animals were sacrificed and the size of the mature worm burden established. In spite of interaction between E-S 62 and host antibody, a statistically significant relationship was found to exist between the amount of E-S 62 present in the bloodstream and the size of the parasite load. It is suggested that the detectable antigen level is more influenced by the size of the worm burden than the presence of antibody and that antibody is only likely to affect adversely antigen measurement in situations where the amount released is relatively low. Examples of this are early in infection and in low-level infections. These ideas are discussed in relation to the development and assessment of serological assays which attempt to predict parasite burden in human filarial infections.