Schistosoma mansoni: common antigens on adult worm teguments and cercariae detected by immunodiffusion

Abstract

Of 15 serum samples (from patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni) examined by immunodiffusion, 7 gave a positive antigen-antibody reaction with a cholate extract of adult worm teguments. The 7 sera also reacted with a cercarial extract. Rabbit antiserum raised against worm teguments also reacted with cercariae. Sera that reacted more strongly with tegument also reacted more strongly with cercariae. Further analysis by Ouchterlony double diffusion indicated that all the sera detected antigens that were common to both cercariae and worm tegument. At least 2 common antigens were detected.