The human immune response to defined immunogens of Schistosoma mansoni: elevated antibody levels to paramyosin in stool-negative individuals from two endemic areas in Brazil.
Sera from individuals living in 2 areas endemic for Schistosoma mansoni in Minas Gerais, Brazil were assayed for the presence of antibodies against paramyosin and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), molecules previously implicated as vaccine immunogens from studies in laboratory hosts. A group was identified consisting of subjects who were stool-negative and had no record of previous infection but who were seropositive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against crude adult worm antigen (SWAP). These individuals had anti-paramyosin antibody levels which were dramatically elevated with respect to those measured in infected (stool-positive) individuals living in the same endemic area. In contrast, the same 2 groups of stool-positive and stool-negative subjects could not be distinguished on the basis of their seroreactivity to either GST or SWAP. After chemotherapy, anti-paramyosin antibodies rose above pre-treatment levels and remained elevated in those individuals who became stool-negative. In contrast, anti-paramyosin antibodies decreased to pretreatment values in drug-treated individuals who failed to show complete parasitological cure. These results suggest that the immune response of humans to paramyosin may play a role in natural resistance to schistosome infection, and that an elevated antibody level against this antigen may be a useful correlate of drug-induced cure.
Correa-Oliveira
R
R
Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou, Fundaçao Oswaldo Cruz, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Pearce
E J
EJ
Oliveira
G C
GC
Golgher
D B
DB
Katz
N
N
Bahia
L G
LG
Carvalho
O S
OS
Gazzinelli
G
G
Sher
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000276:immunology*; D014335:Tropomyosin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000906:Antibodies; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D014335:Tropomyosin; D005982:Glutathione Transferase