Attempts to induce protective immunity in hamsters against infection by a liver fluke of man (Opisthorchis viverrini).

The development of acquired resistance in opisthorchiasis was studied in hamsters experimentally infected with Opisthorchis viverrini. The induction of protective immunity was attempted by first exposing adult female golden Syrian hamsters to 1, 2 or 3 doses of infective metacercariae obtained from naturally infected cyprinoid fishes and then reinfecting them with 80 metacercariae. In other experiments, animals that were infected with 50 metacercariae were treated with praziquantel prior to being rechallenged in order to eliminate the flukes that had developed from the first infection. The effect of long-term chronic infections was also studied. Faecal egg counts were determined at weekly intervals from 4-5 weeks onwards. The animals were killed 2-3 months after the last infection for worm recovery, and terminal faecal egg output/g faeces/worm was calculated. The data showed that prior infection of animals with O. viverrini did not induce significant protective immunity against reinfection by the same parasite. Lack of protection was also noted in animals reinfected several times with small doses of metacercariae. However, under certain circumstances, prior infection could result in a significant reduction in the faecal egg output due to subsequent infection.