The Mucosal Immune Response of the European Rabbit to the Parasite, T. retortaeformis

ABSTRACT: The goal of this research is to experimentally observe the immune response between the European Rabbit and its commonly infected parasite, trichostrongylus retortaeformis, in the small intestine. This was achieved by detecting the mucosal IgA antibodies, which were attached to the parasite in response to infection, and the intensity of the light was then quantified. Detection of the IgA antibodies was carried out with an immune assay, with experimental controls being set to determine how much of the response was due to nonspecific binding. An immune assay was conducted on several different sets of t. retortaeformis, differing by the date of infection in the rabbit. This was to observe the immune response as it progressed over time.