Evaluation of Fasciola gigantica infection by serial enzyme patterns

Abstract

Three calves were infected with 2000, 3000 and 4000 metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica. Two other calves were left as uninfected controls. All calves were kept indoor for 23 weeks. During this period, serial samples of plasma and faeces as well as body weight gains were taken. Eggs were first detected in the faeces of infected calves on week 13 post infection (PIW13). In the infected animals, AST activity rose from an average level of 57.5 units/ml to 71 units/ml whereas GGT rose from an average level of 7.8IU/l to 65.6 IU/l. The percentage increase in body weightS of all calves were comparable during the first nine weeks after infection. Between PIW 9 and 13, the infected animals gained weight between 0.6% and 0.7% of their initial body weights. The percentage increase in body weights of the controls during the same period was between 11% and 17%. It was concluded that serial plasma enzyme patterns are useful in evaluating the different stages of F. gigantica infections.