Praziquantel treatment of individuals exposed to Schistosoma haematobium enhances serological recognition of defined parasite antigens.
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.
Mutapi
Francisca
F
Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, Ashworth Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. f.mutapi@ed.ac.uk
Burchmore
Richard
R
Mduluza
Takafira
T
Foucher
Aude
A
Harcus
Yvonne
Y
Nicoll
Gavin
G
Midzi
Nicholas
N
Turner
C Michael
CM
Maizels
Rick M
RM
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
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D012556:Schistosomicides; D011223:Praziquantel