Serum antibody response to soluble extract of the third-larval stage of Ostertagia ostertagi in cattle

Serum IgG, IgM, and IgA antibody responses against L₃ antigens of Ostertagia ostertagi were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after one, two or multiple sequential inoculations of this nematode in calves. Following the first infection, antibody levels did not change. After a second inoculation, IgG increased significantly (P < 0.05) after 2 months. IgG was not significantly increased 1 month after challenge inoculation. IgM and IgA antibody levels did not change following the first or second inoculations of L₃. IgG antibody levels rose only slightly following multiple sequential inoculations with infectious L₃.

Results indicate that calves with ostertagiasis have very weak serum antibody responses to L₃, and these appear to be of little value in detection of the infection in these animals.