SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES USING ANTIGENS OF ONCHOCERCA-VOLVULUS

A panel of recombinant antigens were isolated from a cDNA library on t he basis of their being specifically recognised by onchocerciasis sera . As there is considerable heterogeneity in recognition of individual antigens a cocktail of three were required to detect antibodies in inf ected individuals with high sensitivity. For field application a test was developed for the detection of antibodies in blood spots collected on filter paper. The native parasite molecules corresponding to these antigens have been partially characterised and by examining the respo nses of well characterised infected individuals their role immunity an d immunology can be investigated.