Identification of non-cross-reacting antigens ofOnchocerca volvuluswith lymphatic filariasis serum pools

Abstract

SUMMARY: Onchocerca volvulusproteins labelled with¹²⁵I were immunoprecipitated with onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis human serum pools in order to differentiate between cross-reacting and non-cross-reacting antigens. Analysis of the immunoprecipitates by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that all high molecular weight (M_r)O. volvulusantigens cross-reacted with the lymphatic filariasis serum pools. We observed, however, that at least 80. volvulusantigens were specifically immunoprecipitated only by the onchocerciasis serum pools, with M_rranging from 20000 up to 43000 Daltons. These results suggest that the lower M_rO. volvulusantigens are more species specific than the other antigens. The significance of these findings for the immunodiagnosis of onchocerciasis is discussed.