Identification of immunodominant antigens by immunoelectrotransfer in hydatid fluid

Identification and characterization of immunodominant antigens in hydatid fluid was performed by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels (SDS PAGE) followed by immunoelectrotransfer (Western Blot). The studies were performed in sera of 23 patients with surgically confirmed hydatid disease, 12 patients with clinical suspicion of the infection and positive serology according to conventional serology (double diffusion with detection of are 5 and ELISA test), 28 healthy subject and 23 patients with parasitic infections different from hydatidosis. The results showed 7 antigenic bands located between 8 and 120 kDa, two immunodominant bands (MW 8 and 12 kDa) were recognized by the sera of patients suffering from hydatid disease and those with positive serology. Two additional bands were detected by the sera of healthy subjects and by the samples of patients presenting cysticercosis. It is concluded that the antigens with molecular weights of 8 and 12 kDa. would be those of major diagnostic value, while those of 32 and 60 kDa are nonspecific.