The effect of endoparasitism on the immune response to antirabies vaccination in puppies

Abstract

The specific and non-specific immune response after antirabies vaccination was studied in young dogs with altered immune functions suffering from endoparasitoses and compared with those in healthy dogs. The degree of the immunosuppression was confirmed by functional test of phagocytes and proliferation activity test of lymphocytes. The study indicates an association between parasitized animals, and a depression in the immune responses. Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina and Trichuris vulpis were the most prevalent parasite species. During the experiment no anthelmintic treatment was applied. In puppies suffering from immunosuppression significantly lower specific antibody level after antirabies vaccination was demonstrated on day 28. In such case of known immunosuppression it is recommended to repeat antirabies vaccination; primovaccination does not provide satisfactory protection. Anthelmintic preventive treatment may be necessary to improve the immune responses to antirabies vaccination and provide effective protection. © 2007 W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, PAS.