Human T and B cell immunoreactivity to a recombinant 23-kDa Cryptosporidium parvum antigen.
Cryptosporidial infection in humans results in parasite-specific IgG, IgM, and IgA antibody responses, but little is known of the cell-mediated immune responses to cryptosporidial antigens. In a convenience sample of 35 Haitian residents, there was a high level of cryptosporidial exposure (>90%) as determined by immunoblot reactivity of serum against cryptosporidial antigens. An attempt was made to determine if there was a relationship between antibody and T cell-mediated responses to recombinant Cp23 antigen and how this correlated with reactivity to crude sporozoite antigen preparations (SAg). T cell reactivity was greater against SAg (57%) than to Cp23 (34.3%) as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Proliferative responses to Cp23 were significantly correlated with SAg responses. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, most persons had IgG responses to both SAg (91.4%) and to recombinant Cp23 (88.5%). Antibody responses were greater among persons who exhibited T cell responses to SAg and Cp23. This study demonstrates that recombinant Cp23 antigen could be a useful antigen for detection of both antibody and cell-mediated responses in epidemiologic studies.
Smith
L M
LM
Department of Pediatrics, Emory University and Atlanta Veterans Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia 30033, USA.
Priest
J W
JW
Lammie
P J
PJ
Mead
J R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002417:Cattle; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006205:Haiti / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D011994:Recombinant Proteins