Study of the distribution pattern of Schistosoma haematobium egg antigens recognised by six different monoclonal antibodies in the parasite and the host

Recently a new panel of monoclonal antibodies was developed against soluble egg antigens in the hatching fluid of Schistosoma mansoni. These antibodie s have been used to develop on improved ELISA for the detection of circulat ing soluble egg antigens in serum and urine that would have a higher sensit ivity in the immunodiagnosis of S. mansoni infections. Although these antib odies showed no improvement in the immunodiagnosis of S. mansoni infections compared with egg antigen-based ELISAs already described (Nourel Din et al ., 1994a), they may have a potential role in the identification of S. haema tobium infections. This study has looked into the immunolocalisation of S. haematobium egg antigens in both the parasite and the host as recognised by four newly developed monoclonal antibodies (290-2D9-A, 290-2E6-A, 290-2H12 -A and 290-4A8-A) and two already described antibodies (114-581-A and 114-4 D12-A). The antibodies 114-5B1-A and 114-4D12-A appeared to have in S. haem atobium eggs a similar staining pattern when compared to S. mansoni eggs. T he antibodies prepared against the hatching fluid showed a characteristic s ignal, especially 290-2E6-A. These antibodies recognised a component origin ating from the lateral glands of the miracidium. In the host a similar immu nohistochemical tissue localisation pattern (mainly phagocytising reticulo- endothelial cells) was seen as previously described for S. mansoni infected hamsters.