Surface lectin binding characteristics of developing stages of Brugia in Armigeres subalbatus: II. Brugia malayi.

Abstract

Surface lectin binding characteristics of microfilariae and developing stages of Brugia malayi in Armigeres subalbatus are presented. Ar. subalbatus is not a vector of B. malayi. The following lectins were used: wheat germ agglutinins, lentil agglutinins, Helix aspersa agglutinins, Concanavalin A agglutinins, kidney bean agglutinins, asparagus pea agglutinins and pea nut agglutinins. Frequent change in surface carbohydrate moieties on developing stages of B. malayi was observed. However, blood dwelling microfilariae and mature infective larvae showed little binding affinity for the lectins tested. It is postulated that B. malayi larvae evaded the mosquito immune system by continuously changing their surface carbohydrate moieties.