Shared and non-shared antigens from three different extracts of the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2005 Dec;100(8):861-7. doi: 10.1590/s0074-02762005000800007. Epub 2006 Jan 20.

Abstract

Hydatid cyst fluid (HCF), somatic antigens (S-Ag) and excretory-secretory products (ES-Ag) of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces are used as the main antigenic sources for immunodiagnosis of human and dog echinococcosis. In order to determine their non-shared as well as their shared antigenic components, these extracts were studied by ELISA-inhibition and immunoblot-inhibition. Assays were carried out using homologous rabbit polyclonal antisera, human sera from individuals with surgically confirmed hydatidosis, and sera from dogs naturally infected with E. granulosus. High levels of cross-reactivity were observed for all antigenic extracts, but especially for ES-Ag and S-Ag. Canine antibodies evidenced lesser avidity for their specific antigens than antibodies from human origin. The major antigenic components shared by HCF, S-Ag, and ES-Ag have apparent molecular masses of 4-6, 20-24, 52, 80, and 100-104 kDa, including doublets of 41/45, 54/57, and 65/68 kDa. Non-shared polypeptides of each antigenic extract of E. granulosus were identified, having apparent masses of 108 and 78 kDa for HCF, of 124, 94, 83, and 75 kDa for S-Ag, and of 89, 66, 42, 39, 37, and 35 kDa for ES-Ag.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology*
  • Cross Reactions
  • Cyst Fluid / chemistry
  • Cyst Fluid / immunology
  • Dog Diseases / immunology
  • Dogs
  • Echinococcosis / immunology
  • Echinococcosis / veterinary
  • Echinococcosis, Hepatic / immunology*
  • Echinococcus granulosus / immunology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Helminth Proteins / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Rabbits
  • Sheep

Substances

  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Helminth Proteins