Antigenic analysis of the developmental stages of Ascaris suum: II. Host components

Abstract

Antisera against host serum and tissues were used in gel-diffusion and hemagglutination tests to detect host components in extracts of eggs, larvae, and adults of Ascaris suum. The perienteric fluid of adult A. suum reacted with antiserum to normal porcine serum, but no reactions were observed with extracts of the eggs or the larval stages. Extracts of third stage larvae from the lungs of rabbits reacted with antisera to rabbit serum proteins as did the supernatant fluid from in vitro cultures of these larvae. No reactions were observed between antisera to rabbit serum and extracts of eggs or second stage larvae, and antisera to rabbit liver and lung tissues did not react wth extracts of larvae derived from these sources. These findings are discussed in the light of recent reports on the sharing of antigenic determinants between host and parasite.