title: Identification of a major 72 kilodalton surface antigen in twelve isolates of Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis.
abstract: The study of the surface antigens of Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis revealed a great homogeneity among ten strains isolated from Bolivia and two reference strains from Brazil and Belize. A 72 kDa major protein, present in all L. b. braziliensis strains, was recognized by both cutaneous and mucocutaneous human sera, but was not recognized by Kala-azar and chagasic sera. No cross-reactive antigens were found among strains of Leishmania braziliensis guyanensis, Leishmania braziliensis panamensis, Leishmania mexicana amazonensis and Leishmania donovani chagasi testing these strains with hamster and human anti-L. b. braziliensis sera. Moreover, these strains possessed major antigens with molecular weights different from those of L. b. braziliensis strains. A microheterogeneity of L. b. braziliensis surface antigens was detected for the high molecular weight antigens and seemed to be related to the isoenzymic microheterogeneity.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D001345:Autoradiography; D006224:Cricetinae; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D007891:Leishmania / Q000276:immunology*; D007892:Leishmania braziliensis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000276:immunology; D007894:Leishmania mexicana / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007527:Isoenzymes