Characterisation of Theileria parva isolates from Kiambu district, Kenya

Four Theileria parva isolates from Muguga area of Kiambu district, Kenya, were used to establish schizont-infected cell lines. Their protein antigens were then separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS page). The isolates were subsequently subjected to protein analysis and characterisation by the western immunoblotting technique. Probing for the polymorphic immunodominant molecule (PIM) was done using monoclonal antibody no. 4. SDS page detected up to 20 protein antigens of molecular mass 35,000-180,000 Da. The western blot analysis revealed a greater heterogeneity in the molecular mass (M(r)) of PIM than previously thought. The M(r) of PIM varied between 80 and 90 kDa. The isolates further revealed different densities of surface epitopes with variable reaction to the monoclonal antibody. The implications of these findings to the epidemiology of east coast fever and immunisation programmes are discussed.