Toxocara canis infections in a pig model: immunological, haematological and blood biochemistry responses.

The immunological, haematological and enzymatic responses to the inoculation in pigs of 100,000 embryonated eggs of Toxocara canis were studied. Fifteen females were inoculated and three remained as controls. Haematological values were analysed from day 7 p.i. until day 126 p.i. In the inoculated group, white blood cells were raised on day 14 p.i. and eosinophil values on days 7, 14, 21, 35 and 49 p.i. showing significant differences compared with controls (P < 0.05). Absolute eosinophil counts (per ml) presented two rises, the first on days 7, 14 and 21 p.i. and the second on days 35 and 49 p.i. Blood biochemistry was maintained within normal values. Serological examination by ELISA to determine antibody levels against Toxocara canis L2/L3 excretory-secretory (ES) antigens showed values higher than the positive cut-off (1:32) from day 7 p.i. and until the end of the study on day 126 p.i., presenting two peaks: one on day 28 p.i. and the second covering days 49 to 56 p.i. Western blots of sera of inoculated animals presented, from day 7 p.i., two polypeptide bands of 55 and 70 kDa MW and, from day 56 p.i., an additional band of 120 kDa MW, all of which persisted until the end of the study. Immunological responses were sustained over time. No direct correlation was observed between the rise in eosinophils and antibody titres. To validate the conclusions, more studies are required on the polypeptide bands.