LYMPHOCYTE AND CYTOKINE RESPONSES OF YOUNG CATTLE DURING PRIMARY INFECTION WITH FASCIOLA-HEPATICA

An experiment was designed to characterise the early immune responses of cattle given a trickle infection of the trematode Fasciola hepatica . Lymphocyte responses and IFN-gamma production following stimulation with Fasciola antigens were measured. Animals were sequentially slaugh tered at weeks 5, 7, 9 and 11 post-infection. Results demonstrated res ponses to fluke antigens and cytokine production (IFN gamma) from week s 2-5 post-infection. These findings may suggest an early stimulation of IFN gamma production by peripheral blood lymphocytes following infe ction with F hepatica in cattle.