title: Praziquantel treatment of individuals exposed to Schistosoma haematobium enhances serological recognition of defined parasite antigens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schistosomiasis is a major parasitic disease affecting >200 million people in the developing world, and 400 million people are at risk for infection. This study aimed to identify and compare proteins recognized by serum samples from schistosome-exposed individuals before and after curative praziquantel treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Proteins recognized by pooled serum samples from Schistosoma haematobium-exposed Zimbabweans were determined by 2-dimensional Western blotting and identified by mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum samples recognized 71 spots, which resolved to 26 different characterized proteins. Eleven of these proteins have not previously been shown to be immunogenic in natural human infection or in experimental models of schistosomiasis, making them novel antigens in the parasite. Pretreatment serum samples recognized 59 spots, which resolved to 21 different identified proteins. Posttreatment serum samples recognized an additional 12 spots, which resolved to 8 different identified proteins. Of these 8 proteins, 3 had putative isoforms recognized before treatment, and 5 (calreticulin, tropomyosin 1, tropomyosin 2, paramyosin, and triose phosphate isomerase) did not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is the most comprehensive characterization of S. haematobium antigens to date and describes novel antigens in all schistosome species. Posttreatment results are consistent with praziquantel treatment inducing quantitative and qualitative changes in schistosome-specific antibody responses.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, Ashworth Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. f.mutapi@ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mutapi
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burchmore
authors.forename: Takafira
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mduluza
authors.forename: Aude
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Foucher
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Harcus
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicoll
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Midzi
authors.forename: C Michael
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Rick M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Maizels
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000276:immunology*; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015030:Zimbabwe
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D012556:Schistosomicides; D011223:Praziquantel