Immunolocalization of the 29 kDa Schistosoma haematobium species-specific antigen: a potential diagnostic marker for urinary schistosomiasis.
BACKGROUND
The 29 kDa Schistosoma haematobium species-specific antigen (ShSSA) is of remarkable interest in the diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis although it had not been fully characterized.


METHODS
To determine the biological importance of ShSSA in S. haematobium and pathogenesis of the disease, we immunolocalized ShSSA in schistosome eggshells, miracidia and adult worm sections using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT).


RESULTS
ShSSA was strongly immunolocalized in the schistosome eggshells, selective regions of the miracidia body and walls of internal organs such as oviduct, ovary, vitelline duct and gut of the adult worm.


CONCLUSIONS
The strong immunolocalization of ShSSA in schistosome eggshells and adult worm internal organs suggests that the antigens involved in the pathogenesis of urinary schistosomiasis could have originated from the eggs and adult worms of the parasite. The findings also indicate that ShSSA may play a mechanical protective role in the survival of the parasite.
Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Legon, Accra, Ghana. umckakpo@noguchi.mimcom.org.
Uri S
US
Markakpo
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG581, Legon, Accra, Ghana. garmah@noguchi.mimcom.org.
George E
GE
Armah
Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Legon, Accra, Ghana. jfobil@yahoo.com.
Julius N
JN
Fobil
School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. rhasmah@chs.edu.gh.
Richard H
RH
Asmah
School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. iabaidoo@chs.edu.gh.
Isaac
I
Anim-Baidoo
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG581, Legon, Accra, Ghana. adodoo@noguchi.mimcom.org.
Alfred K
AK
Dodoo
Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Legon, Accra, Ghana. pmardjitey@gmail.com.
Parnor
P
Madjitey
Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Legon, Accra, Ghana. eddenco@yahoo.com.
Edward E
EE
Essuman
Asian Centre for International Parasite Control, Mahidol University, Bankok, Thailand. kojima@ims.tsukuba.ac.jp.
Somei
S
Kojima
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG581, Legon, Accra, Ghana. kbosompem@noguchi.mimcom.org.
Kwabena M
KM
Bosompem
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D013045:Species Specificity; D016482:Urinalysis
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D015415:Biomarkers