Acquisition of resistance against Fasciola gigantica by Indonesian thin tail sheep.

The plasma levels of GLDH and the dynamics of development of the numbers of surface lesions on livers, and numbers of parasites, within two to three weeks of a challenge infection, indicated that the major component of the high resistance of Indonesian thin tail (ITT) sheep against Fasciola gigantica was acquired, and acted against juvenile parasites. Few parasites reached the livers of ITT (exposed) sheep, but many had been inhibited, probably in the wall of the jejunum. ITT (naive) sheep showed some resistance, compared with control Merino sheep, by three weeks after infection. Manifestation of the resistance of ITT (exposed) sheep was suppressed by administration of the immunosuppressant, dexamethasone. Killing of parasites in ITT sheep appeared to have ceased by 21 to 28 days after infection. The basis of the acquired resistance was deemed to be an exceptional immunological capacity of ITT sheep responding to an antigen, or an immunological suppressant, peculiar to F. gigantica. That molecule, produced by juvenile parasites, warrants further study as a candidate for a vaccine.