The dynamics of the host-parasite relationship

Extract

The present studies were designed to characterize the response of sheep infected with N. spathiger to challenge infection with the same species.

The results showed that: (1) the level of worm counts attained on secondary infection with the parasite was much reduced compared with the counts recorded following initial infection; (2) the relative fecundities of parasite populations which developed in individual hosts following challenge infection, ranked in magnitude in an order which was similar to that established following initial infection; (3) as fecundity was highly correlated with the number of egg-laying females and the number of males and females was nearly equal in individual specimens, it was concluded that worm burdens were also ranked for individual animals on primary infection and following challenge; and (4) the animals of the control group remained as susceptible as the animals of groups 1 and 3 at the time of their primary infection; consequently, in the absence of previous immunological experience due to infection, there was no apparent change in susceptibility of the animals due to an effect of age during the course of the 17 weeks of the experiment.

We are greatly indebted to Dr Michael Tallis, Division of Mathematical Statistics, C.S.I.R.O., for advice and assistance with the statistical analyses, and to Dr D. F. Stewart for his interest and constructive criticism during the course of these studies. Our thanks are also due to Mr E. Teleki and Misses Helen Giller and Lindy Stothart for their valuable technical assistance.