EVIDENCE OF SECRETION OF AN INTERNAL ANTIGEN OF EIMERIA-PAPILLATA INTO CULTURED-CELLS

Monoclonal antibodies (MAB) were raised against whole sporozoites of E imeria papillata and their organelle fractions. These fractions includ ed rhoptries, dense granules, mitochondria and pellicle fragments. Twe nty MAB recognized structures within the apical region of sporozoites as observed by indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) test. Of the se, 2 MAB showed a reaction with extracellular and intracellular sporo zoites at the apical region as well as with after structures within in vaded cells in culture (24 hr monolayers of MDCK cells). Within 60 min utes of inoculation fluorescence in the intracellular sporozoites decr eased. This decrease corresponded with IFA reactions in the invaded ce lls in the form of cytoplasmic granules, on the host cell surface and in the vicinity of the parasitophorous vacuole. These results indicate that proteins of parasite origin are released from the apical region and are dispersed in different parts of the host cell.