A comparison of the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the indirect haemagglutination technique applied to sera from cattle experimentally infected with Taenia saginata (Goeze, 1782).

The serological response of 6 calves to experimental oral infection with between 60,000 and 100,000 Taenia saginata eggs at 3-12 months of age was monitored by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the tanned cell indirect haemagglutination technique (IDH). A serum antibody response was detected by both techniques by 2-3 weeks post infection, rising to a plateau about 4-6 weeks post infection. The serum antibody levels began to decline by about 30 weeks post infection. Two uninfected control cattle gave negative reactions. In addition, the serological response of 5 calves which had received a dose of 10,000 T. saginata eggs at 2-3 days of age and then weekly serial doses of 500 eggs for 12 months thereafter, was compared with a similar group of 5 calves, which had received the single infection of 10,000 eggs at 2-3 days of age only. Calves in both groups developed an antibody response detectable by the ELISA technique whereas those in a group of 5 control calves did not show such a response. When studied individually however there was marked variation in the serum antibody levels of these young cattle, as although some calves gave a relatively strong serological response, others hardly varied from the controls.