Resistance of Fasciola hepatica in rats and rabbits following sensitising infection and treatment.

Whereas one mature or two immature infections with Fasciola hepatica, which had been eliminated by anthelmintic treatment, conferred resistance to reinfection in rats, this did not occur with rabbits. The differences between the hosts were shown by the numbers of flukes which developed following challenge ands by the changes in peripheral eosinophil counts and serum glutamic dehydrogenase levels. In contrast, rabbits gave a stronger serological response (ELISA) than rats but this was not affected by treatment or challenge in either host.