No abstract

Common antigenic molecules are found between different parasites and their intermediate hosts. This antigenic similarity may be applied for serodiagnosis or drug and vaccine development. The present study was designed to evaluate the antigenic similarity between adult Schistosoma mansoni and some Egyptian freshwater snails Biomphalaria alexandrina, Lymnea natalensis, and Physa acuta and the antigenic value in immuno-diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis. Fifteen laboratory-bred infected albino mice were used to obtain adult S. mansoni for adult crude antigen preparation. Forty-eight laboratory-bred rats were used to prepare hyperimmune visceral parts of the tested snails. Comparing the molecular weight of the tested antigens was done using SDS-PAGE following hyperimmune rat sera preparation for western blot technique and ELISA to visualize their immunogenicity and cross-reactivity. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting showed the presence of strong similar bands between whole adult worm antigen and B. alexandrina foot antigens while poor antigenic relationship was revealed with L. natalensis and P. acuta antigens. B. alexandrina foot antigen was found by ELI-SA to be the best antigen to replace S. mansoni crude antigen in immuno-diagnosis of schistosomiasis in concern to their sensitivity and specificity.