Paragonimus: Electrophoretic fractionation of whole body proteins as an aid in specific identification of a species from Sado Island, Japan

Abstract

Morphologic characteristics and electrophoretic patterns of whole body proteins of a species of Paragonimus (Trematoda) found on Sado Island, Japan, were examined to aid in establishing its specific identity. The infection rate of the metacercariae in the crab, Potamon dehaani was 43%. Paragonimus sp. (Sado Island) will mature in both rats and cats, however, the worm recovery rate was higher in the single surviving cat (73%) than in the rats (3–47%). Worm maturation in these animals occurs in about 35 days after exposure. The adult worm of this species has “ ohirai-iloktsuenensis” type cuticular spines and ovary but the eggs of this species are similar to those of P. ohirai. This species produced a minimum of 23 distinct protein bands of which seven were prominent. No significant differences were observed in electrophoretic patterns except in the mean R F values of three bands between Paragonimus sp. (Sado Island) obtained from rats and cats. This species is distinctly different from both P. westermani and P. miyazakii. However, the electrophoretic characteristics were essentially identical with P. ohirai. The R F value of each band separated from this species seems to be slightly smaller when compared with P. ohirai.