SECRETORY IMMUNE-RESPONSE TO MEMBRANE-ANTIGENS DURING GIARDIA-LAMBLIAINFECTION IN HUMANS

The secretory immune response in humans infected with Giardia lamblia was studied by using saliva samples and a membrane rich protein fracti on, The membrane fraction, studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacryl amide gel electrophoresis, showed 24 antigen bands, ranging from 170 t o 14 kDa, Saliva samples from giardiasis patients showed a heterogeneo us response against the membrane fraction when they were assayed by im munoblotting. Among the antigens recognized by patient saliva samples, those of 170, 105, 92, 66, 32, 29, and 14 kDa stood out, These antige ns were not recognized by saliva samples from healthy individuals, The y may be of importance in future studies of protection from or diagnos is of G, lamblia infections.