In vivo cross-reactivity of Taenia saginata and Taenia crassiceps antigens in bovine cysticercosis.

Steers sensitized or infected with Taenia saginata exhibited similar delayed-type dermal hypersensitivity (DTH) responses after intradermal inoculation with T. saginata or T. crassiceps skin test antigens. Steers sensitized to T. crassiceps cysticerci exhibited similar DTH responses to intradermal inoculation with T. crassiceps, T. saginata whole worm and T. saginata cysticerci antigens. No correlation existed between the DTH responses and the number of cysticerci in the carcasses. One sensitized/infected and one infected steer harbored cysticerci but exhibited no DTH responses. Infection with cysticerci did not elevate DTH responsiveness in sensitized animals.