Reaginic Antibodies in Dogs Infected with <em>Echinococcus granulosus</em>.

Serum samples from twenty dogs infected with Echinococcus granulosus were tested for the presence of homocytotropic skin-sensitizing antibodies. Five of the twenty sera were positive in this test, while none of the sera from twenty normal dogs was positive. The antibody was thermolabile and susceptible to 2 mercaptoethanol reduction. Reaginic antibodies to cestode antigens have not been described previously in dogs, though they are frequently associated with helminth infection in other animals and may play a role in acquired resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]