Characterization of epitopes on excretory-secretory antigens of Taenia saginata metacestodes recognized by monoclonal antibodies with immunodiagnostic potential.

Four monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) produced against the excretory-secretory (ES) antigens of Taenia saginata metacestodes are currently used for the detection of circulating antigen in the sera of cattle with bovine cysticercosis. The epitopes recognised by these MoAb were characterized by periodate oxidation, alkaline borohydride and heat treatment, trichloracetic acid precipitation, enzymatic proteolysis and deglycosylation of the ES-products. These results together with those of the homologous sandwich, inhibition and competition ELISAs showed that three repetitive epitopes are recognized, which are present on the tegument and on the ES-products of T.

Development of a dot-enzyme immunoassay for the detection of circulating antigen in cattle infected with Taenia saginata cysticerci.

A monoclonal antibody-based dot-ELISA was developed for the detection of antigen in the sera of cattle with Taenia saginata cysticercosis. After pretreatment of the sera with trichloroacetic acid, antigen could be detected in experimentally infected animals from five weeks after infection. The assay distinguished animals harbouring living cysts from those carrying only dead cysts.

An experimental latex agglutination test for antibody detection in human African trypanosomiasis.

A latex card agglutination test for detection of antibodies in human African trypanosomiasis is presented. The latex was covalently coated with semipurified surface glycoprotein of Variable Antigen Type LiTat 1.6 of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense.