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<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Alternatively activated macrophages (AAMϕ) play important roles in allergies and responses to parasitic infections. However, whether signaling through toll-like receptors (TLRs) plays any role in AAMϕ induction when young <it>Fasciola hepatica </it>penetrates the liver capsule and migrates through the liver tissue is still unclear.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The data show that the lack of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) has no effect on the AAMϕ derived from the bone marrow (BMMϕ) <it>in vitro </it>and does not impair the mRNA expression of arginase-1, resistin-like molecule (RELMα), and Ym1 in BMMϕs. The Th2 cytokine production bias in splenocytes was not significantly altered in <it>F. hepatica</it>-infected mice in the absence of MyD88 <it>in vitro </it>and in the pleural cavity lavage <it>in vivo</it>. In addition, MyD88-deficiency has no effect on the arginase production of the <it>F. hepatica </it>elicited macrophages (Fe Mϕs), production of RELMα and Ym1 proteins and mRNA expression of Ym1 and RELMα of macrophages in the peritoneal cavity 6 weeks post <it>F. hepatica </it>infection.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The absence of MyD88 has no effect on presence of AAMϕ 6 weeks post <it>F. hepatica </it>infection.</p>