Trichinella antigens: a review

This paper presents a review of the Trichinella antigens within the context of species variation. As with other parasites, Trichinella antigens can be classified according to their localisation as surface, excretory/secretory (ES) and somatic components. Surface antigens are mainly constituents of t he outer cuticle although secretions from inner parts of the body wall as w ell as from the oesophagus can temporarily accumulate in the surface. ES an tigens come mainly from the excretory granules of the stichosome, whereas s omatic constitutive antigens come from the internal parts of the worms. ES products are considered Very important from an immunological point of view as they are easily targeted by the immune system, whereas parasite death is required for exposure of somatic products. Some of the antigenic component s have been characterised chemically. Phosphorylcholine is an important hap ten that modulates the immune responses in Trichinella infections. Glycopro teins an the major components of surface and excretory/secretory products. A 43-kDa glycoprotein has been regarded as a good candidate for diagnosis a nd vaccination purposes. Recently some glycans have received special attent ion either as relevant epitopes or as parasite evasion strategies. (C) Inra /Elsevier, Paris.