Immune response to stage-specific surface antigens of the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis.

Abstract

Rats were infected with T. spiralis and the primary serum antibody response to antigenic surface proteins of infective larvae, intestinal worms and newborn larvae was studied. One week after infection, the sera contained antibodies to surface antigens of both infective larvae and intestinal worms. These early sera failed to react with newborn larvae surface antigens. Adsorption of sera with living intestinal worms or infective larvae removed antibodies to surface antigens of the homologous stage only. The time-course of appearance of antibodies to surface antigens mirrored the time-course of appearance of antibodies that mediate eosinophil adherence to the surface of each stage of the parasite. In a primary infection in rats, the surface proteins of T. spiralis used are antigenically stage-specific. They could be targets for the stage-specific, antibody-dependent eosinophil-mediated destruction of this parasite, known to occur in vitro.