Study of kinetics of circulating schistosome antigens in tissues and sera of infected mice using anti-schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen monoclonal antibody

In the present study, the kinetics of uptake and deposition of Schistosoma mansoni antigens in liver, spleen, kidney and intestine of C57BL/6 mice infected with 100 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae as well as their levels in sera have been investigated during the course of infection [12 weeks]. The presence of antigen was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence using IgM anti-soluble egg antigen monoclonal antibody [anti-SEA MAb]. Immunofluorescence reactivity was evident in both renal and spleen tissues 3 weeks post-infection [p.i.], in Kupffer cells of liver 4 weeks p.i. and in intestinal mucosa [5 weeks p.i.]. Maximal immunofluorescence staining was reached during the patent phase [5-9 weeks p.i.]. During the chronic stage of infection [9-12 weeks pi.], diminution of immunofluorescent intensity was evident in liver tissue, while it remained constant in other studied organs. Circulating schistosome antigen [CSA] level in mice sera was determined using a sandwich ELISA with a MAb for both antigen capture and detecting antibody. CSA was demonstrated in mice sera [one week p.i.] reaching its peak at 6 weeks p.i. and remained at a detectable level until the end of the study [12th week p.i.]

Purification and characterization of a specific fasciola antigen

Specific fasciola antigen was prepared from homogenates of Fasciola hepatica adult worms. The homogenate was ultracentrifuged and the supernatant containing crude fasciola antigen was then passed over a cyanogen bromide activated sepharose 4B column coupled with antiserum against Schistosoma mansoni adult worm surface antigen. The specific, schistosoma-free fasciola antigen was tested for its specificity by immunodiffusion. Characterization of the specific fasciola antigen was done by gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting technique. The electrophoresis migration pattern of specific fasciola antigen, stained with Coomassie blue, showed seven bands in the 12-54 kDa regions. Using the immunoblotting technique, a batch of positive fascioliasis sera recognized two specific bands at the 33 and 54 kDa regions

Evaluation of specific fasciola antigen in the immunodiagnosis of human fascioliasis in Egypt

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and enzyme linked immunoelectrotransfer blot technique [EITB] were employed for the detection of circulating Fasciola antibodies in infected human sera using a specific Fasciola antigen, prepared by immunoaffinity purification of homogenates of Fasciola hepatica adult worms. Ninety- two individuals diagnosed clinically and parasitologically were classified into Fascioliasis group [21 patients], schistosomiasis group [21 patients] and subjects harboring other parasitic infections [50 patients]. Eighteen healthy individuals served as normal controls. ELISA was 100% sensitive and 93% specific with 96.5% diagnostic efficacy, whereas EITB was 100% sensitive and specific with 100% diagnostic efficacy. The data revealed that ELISA can be used as a good screening test, while EITB can serve as a confirmatory test for immunodiagnosis of fascioliasis