K. Knopf et al., Humoral immune response of European eel Anguilla anguilla experimentally infected with Anguillicola crassus, DIS AQU ORG, 42(1), 2000, pp. 61-69
A humoral immune response of the European eel Anguilla anguilla elicited by
an experimental infection was demonstrated for the first time against the
swimbladder nematode Anguillicola crassus. Eels were experimentally infecte
d once or repeatedly and the antibody response was observed over a period o
f 325 d. Specific antibodies against A. crassus in the peripheral blood of
the eels were measured using an ELISA and the immunoblot technique. Anti-A.
crassus antibodies were first observed 8 wk post infection, and appeared t
o be independent of both the number of infective third stage larvae (L-3) a
dministered and the frequency of administration. However, individual eels s
howed great differences in the course of the antibody response. The late ap
pearance of antibodies in the peripheral blood supports the hypothesis that
not the invading L-3 but rather the adult parasites elicit the production
of specific antibodies. A stage-specific antibody response against the L-3
was not observed. Main antigens are located in the body wall, especially in
the gelatinous outer cuticle, of adult A. crassus.