E-ADA activity in serum of lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus

J Parasitol. 2013 Aug;99(4):703-5. doi: 10.1645/12-67.1. Epub 2012 Dec 27.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate adenosine deaminase (E-ADA) activity in sera of lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus. We used 12 lambs divided into 2 groups; Group A had 5 healthy, non-infected animals (control) and Group B had 7 healthy animals infected with H. contortus . Lambs were infected orally with 500 larvae (L3) per animal every 2 days, for a period of 20 days, and later the infection was confirmed by examination of feces (eggs per gram [EPG] via fecal egg count). Blood collection was performed at days 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 post-infection (PI) for analysis of E-ADA activity. Animals in Group A showed negative EPG throughout the experiment unlike those from Group B that had elevated EPG counts. E-ADA activity was reduced in the serum of animals infected with H. contortus when compared to non-infected controls at days 20, 40, 60, and 80 PI. Therefore, it is concluded that infection with H. contortus influences the E-ADA activity in lambs.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / metabolism*
  • Adenosine Deaminase / blood*
  • Animals
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Haemonchiasis / blood
  • Haemonchiasis / enzymology
  • Haemonchiasis / veterinary*
  • Haemonchus / enzymology*
  • Male
  • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / blood
  • Sheep Diseases / enzymology*
  • Sheep Diseases / parasitology

Substances

  • Adenosine Deaminase
  • Adenosine