General expression of RoTat 1.2 variable antigen type in Trypanosoma evansi isolates from different origin

The variable surface glycoprotein of Trypanosoma evansi RoTat 1.2 variable antigen type (VAT) is used as an antigen in different antibody detection as says for T. evansi. To obtain more information on the predominant character of RoTat 1.2 and its diagnostic potential in antibody detection tests, we checked its expression in 10 different T. evansi stocks and clones from dif ferent parts of the world. Cryostabilates were injected into mice and the t rypanosomes of the first peak parasitaemia were screened for the presence o f RoTat 1.2 by VAT specific immunofluorescence. To monitor the appearance o f RoTat 1.2 specific antibodies during infection, rabbits were infected and serologically tested at different time intervals with VAT specific immune trypanolysis, CATT/T. evansi, LATEX/T. evansi and ELISA/T. evansi. Test results confirm the predominant character of RoTat 1.2. (C) 2001 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.