biochemical method for the detection of anthelmintic activity against liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica)

Experiments were conducted in rats to determine whether the concentration of serum glutamic oxalo-acetic transaminase (SGOT) could serve as an indicator of hepatic damage caused by immature Fasciola hepatica. The concentration of SGOT was greatly elevated in rats examined 3 weeks after oral inoculation with 30 metacercariae each, and elevated to a lesser extent in rats given 15 metacercariae. Treatment of 3-week-old infections with several classes of known fasciolicidal agents resulted in a return to normal or near normal SGOT concentration within 1 week. (The SGOT concentration did not decrease in rats treated with clioxanide, which has been reported inactive against F. hepatica in the rat.) Since there appeared to be a clear correlation between the reduction in SGOT and the time and dosage of anthelmintic treatment, it is suggested that the SGOT assay described would constitute a useful method for detecting compounds effective against liver fluke.