Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Cercarial Transformation and in vitro Cultivation of Schistosoma mansoni Schistosomules
Published on: August 16, 2011
Schistosoma: cross-reactivity and antigenic community among different species
S Losada1, N Chacón, C Colmenares
1Sección de Biohelmintiasis, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Escuela de Medicina Luis Razetti, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Apartado 47623, Los Chaguaramos 1041-A, Caracas, Venezuela. salosada@yahoo.com
Abstract:
It is not unusual to find common molecules among different species of the genus Schistosoma. When those molecules are antigenic, they may be used in immunodiagnosis and vaccines, but they could also be applied to taxonomic and evolutionary studies. To study cross-reactivity and antigenic community among different species of schistosomes, plasmas from laboratory animals infected with Schistosoma bovis, S. guineensis, S. rodhaini, S. haematobium, and four strains of S. mansoni were evaluated with a crude extract of adult worms of S. mansoni by Western blot. Using the multiple antigen blot assay, plasmas from these infected animals were exposed to a selected group of synthetic peptides from Sm28GST, Sm28TPI, Sm elastase, Sm97, Sm32, Sm31, and Sm Cathepsin L. The results presented herein demonstrate differential cross-reactivity and antigenic community among the Mansoni and Haematobium groups of schistosomes, which is of relevance as an additional new tool for phylogenetic studies of schistosomes as well as for diagnosis and vaccine purposes.
Related Concept Videos
Cross-reactivity
Diversity of Antigen Receptors
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Diversity of Protists II
Malaria
Toxoplasmosis
Antiprotozoal Agents

