Experimental Ascaris-induced airway hypersensitivity in sheep: no serological evidence of association with Toxocara canis infection

Authors: Chen W, Keenan J, Allardyce RA, Alley MR
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 38, Issue 2, pp 80, Jun 1990
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Pig, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Allergy, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Nematode, Parasites - internal, Respiratory system
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: The finding that 70% of sheep from the Manawatu district were hypersensitive to challenge by inhalation of Ascaris, suum antigen, regardless of their previous history of exposure to pigs, has raised the possibility that these sheep had been sensitised by exposure to the common dog nematode Toxocara canis. In order to test this hypothesis, 22 sera, 8 from strong responders (Group A), 6 from weak responders (Group B) and 8 from non-responders (Group C), were tested for T. canis antibody. A standardised enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for detecting and quantitating serum antibodies directed against excretory and secretory antigen of T. canis. The excretory and secretory antigen was characterised using a Western blot analysis…

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