The bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus induces a highly protective
immune response in the bovine host. It is consequently a particularly
useful host-parasite system for the study of those antigens and immun
e responses which can induce protective immunity against a parasitic n
ematode. We have generated monoclonal antibodies to the L3 cuticle and
sheath surfaces in order to define antigens present at the host-paras
ite interface of infective larvae. Three monoclonal antibodies generat
ed against the surface of the infective L3 cuticle bind to a PC-like h
apten, and the presence of such an epitope exposed on the cuticular su
rface appears to be unique to the D. viviparus L3. Six monoclonal anti
bodies which bind to the surface of the L3 sheath all detect an antige
n which is immunodominant in immunised cattle. The possible basis and
implications of such marked antigenicity of a molecule on the L3 sheat
h surface are discussed. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.