Changes in antigen and glycoprotein patterns during the development of Oesaphagostomum dentatum

During its development from free-living infectious third-stage larvae to th e adult worms in the large intestines of pigs, Oesophagostomum dentatum exp eriences several environmental changes. Differences in protein patterns can reflect such changes. Somatic and ES antigens and glycoproteins of pre-par asitic, histotropic and intestinal stages were compared by single-dimension SDS-PAGE and stage-specific proteins were defined. Furthermore, fourth-sta ge larvae derived from different sources - in-vitro cultivation and intesti nal contents - were compared and also found to be different. It is hypothes ised that O. dentatum reacts to environmental stimuli by differential expre ssion of specific proteins as a possible mode of adaptation to the host. (C ) 1998 Australian Society for Parasitology. Published by Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.