Schistosoma mattheei in the ox: clinical pathological observations

Twenty-eight Friesian calves were infected between seven and 11 months of age with 5000 to 45,000 cercariae of Schistosoma mattheei. They developed anaemia, lymphopaenia and hypoalbuminaemia during the period of acute clinical illness after the infection became patent, and lymphocyte counts remained depressed after clinical recovery. Neutrophil counts rose and later fell before returning to normal. Eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinaemia were marked during the period of recovery. The changes in haemoglobin, neutrophils and serum proteins were proportional to the level of infection. The eosinophil response was reduced in animals subjected to nutritional stress. The aetiology of the changes is discussed.