Zinc deficiency and host response to helminth infection: Echinostoma caproni infections in CBA mice

The effect of zinc deficiency on the response of CBA mice to infection with the intestinal trematode Echinostoma caproni was examined. Young CBA mice were allocated to one of three dietary groups: a group fed a zinc deficient diet ad libitum, a control group pair fed a zinc sufficient diet and a control group fed a zinc sufficient diet ad libitum. The mice on the zinc deficient diet gained significantly less weight than the pair fed controls. In primary infections with six E. caproni metacercariae followed over a period of 128 days, zinc deficiency delayed worm expulsion. In addition, zinc deficiency resulted in a prolonged IgM response, a delayed IgG response and an increased IgA response towards the end of the experiment. Resistance to challenge infection day 21 following a primary infection with 25 E. caproni metacercariae was slightly, but not significantly, affected by zinc deficiency.