Intradermal test in the diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis (Cysticercus bovis).

The skin test was performed in cattle infected with C. bovis. The examination were carried out on naturally (23 head) and artificially infected animals (20 head) at different times after infection. Antigens prepared from T. saginata (B1, N0.1, C, Calk) and antigens extracted from activated oncospheres of T. saginata (OI and OII) were inoculated intradermally. The most active were the antigens B1, N0.1, and C prepared from T. saginata. In the majority of infected animals the antigens produced the immediate type of reaction developing the maximum intensity during 2 h post injection. It is worth mentioning that Arthus-type responses have often been observed. Uninfected animals when tested with the same antigens developed mild reaction, not exceeding 4 mm skin thickness. The second testing of the same animals after one or five months resulted in a more intensive reaction slightly resembling that one observed in infected animals. There is no correlation between titre of passive haemagglutination test and the skin test reaction in naturally infected animals. Neither the number of cysticerci with which the animal is infected has an influence on the degree of the skin edema.