Immunocharacterization ofTaenia soliumoncosphere and metacestode antigens

Abstract

AbstractA partial immunocharacterization of oncosphere and metacestode antigens ofTaenia soliumwas carried out and compared to antigens from other taeniid species. The results indicated thatT. soliummetacestode antigen contained epitopes cross reactive with rabbit anti-sera to adult and oncospheral stages of the parasite. Oncospheres, however, consisted largely of stage specific antigens. Western blot analysis indicated thatT. soliumandT. pisiformisshared several oncospheral antigens; however, this was not the case withT. soliumandT. hydatigena. Western blot analysis showed a time-related increase in the number of molecules recognized by antibodies toT. soliumoncosphere and metacestode antigens in pigs experimentally infected withT. soliumeggs. Oncosphere specific antibodies were detected in pig sera one month after experimental infection whereas antibodies to cystic stage antigens were not present until the 3rd to 5th month post infection. Sera from neurocysticercotic patients as well as naturally infected cysticercotic pigs recognized high molecular weight antigens in the oncospheres.