In vitro effects of Fasciola hepatica on the main functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes: chemotaxis and free radical generation induced by phagocytosis.

The effects of adult fluke excretions-secretions (ES) on two major functions of circulating bovine polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells were investigated. Under agarose, PMN chemotaxis was not affected by the ES. ES preincubated with PMN for 15, 30 or 60 min at 37 degrees C, before a chemoluminescence assay, inhibited phagocytosis and/or free radical generation in a dose and time dependent manner.