Inter-Research
DAO
Home
Editors
Forthcoming
Information
Journals
Home
MEPS
AME
CR
DAO
ESEP
Search
Subscribe
Book Series
EE Books
Top Books
Order
Discussion Forums
Home
Research
Endangered Species Programs
Institutions
International Ecology Institute
Eco-Ethics International Union
Foundation
Otto Kinne Foundation
| |
DAO 42:61-69 (2000)
|
Abstract
|
Humoral immune response of European eel Anguilla anguilla experimentally infected with Anguillicola crassus
K. Knopf1,*, K. Naser2, M. H. T. van der Heijden3, H. Taraschewski1
1Zoologisches Institut - Ökologie, Universität Karlsruhe (TH), Kaiserstr. 12, 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
2Landesgesundheitsamt Baden-Württemberg, Wiederholdstr. 15, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany
3Wageningen University, Department of Animal Sciences, Fish Culture and Fisheries Group, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
*Present address: Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department of Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 3120, PF 850119, 12561 Berlin, Germany. E-mail: klaus.knopf@igb-berlin.de
ABSTRACT: A humoral immune response of the European eel Anguilla anguilla elicited by an experimental infection was demonstrated for the first time against the swimbladder nematode Anguillicola crassus. Eels were experimentally infected once
or repeatedly and the antibody response was observed over a period of 325 d. Specific antibodies against A. crassus in the peripheral blood of the eels were measured using an ELISA and the immunoblot technique. Anti-A. crassus antibodies
were first observed 8 wk post infection, and appeared to be independent of both the number of infective third stage larvae (L3) administered and the frequency of administration. However, individual eels showed great differences in the course of
the antibody response. The late appearance of antibodies in the peripheral blood supports the hypothesis that not the invading L3 but rather the adult parasites elicit the production of specific antibodies. A stage-specific antibody response
against the L3 was not observed. Main antigens are located in the body wall, especially in the gelatinous outer cuticle, of adult A. crassus.
KEY WORDS: Anguilla anguilla · Anguillicola crassus · Humoral immune response · Experimental infection
Full text in pdf format
Published in DAO Vol.
42, No. 1
(2000) on August 10
ISSN: 0177-5103.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2000
|
