Immunocytochemical localization of antigens recognized by asymptomatic microfilaremic patient's antisera in microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti

Parasitol Res. 2001 Dec;87(12):1050-5. doi: 10.1007/s004360100455.

Abstract

Ultrathin sections of microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti embedded in hydrophilic resin were incubated with sera from patients, using antisera from asymptomatic microfilaremic patients with different microfilarial densities [1-100 microfilariae (mf)/ml, 101-500 mf/ml, > 1,000 mf/ml]. All groups studied showed reactivity against relevant epitopes in all tissues of microfilariae of W. bancrofti, instead of being localized in a specific nematode region, although the number of colloidal per square micron was inversely proportional to the microfilaremia. Such results confirm data obtained by other authors and indicate a possible role for the humoral response in the mechanism for the destruction of circulating microfilariae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / immunology*
  • Antigens, Helminth / analysis*
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Microfilariae / immunology
  • Wuchereria bancrofti / growth & development
  • Wuchereria bancrofti / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Antigens, Helminth