Immunity of schistosomes using heterologous trematode antigens--a review

This review summarizes the field of cross-protection in schistosomiasis due to other parasitic infections and with subcellular fractions of the parasite trematodes. Regarding parasitic infections, the clearest evidence of cross-protection to Schistosoma mansoni was found with the trematodes, particularly with Fasciola hepatica. Evidence was also presented which demonstrated that the protective F. hepatica worm antigens were those which bound to antibodies to S. mansoni, and that as antigen purification proceeded, smaller amounts were required to obtain significantly high levels of protection. These 2 factors, cross-reactivity and improved protection with increasing antigen purity (and possibly improved immunogenicity), are both supportive of an immunological basis for protection against S. mansoni. A Fasciola/Schistosoma-defined immunity cross-reactive antigen from F. hepatica worms was isolated and designated as FhSmIII(M). An antiserum to this antigen was developed and used as a probe to detect the presence of this antigen (or its determinants) in different extracts of parasitic trematodes. In this manner, it was possible to demonstrate that FhSmIII(M) (or at least some of its determinants) were found on (or in) S. mansoni, S. bovis and Paragonimus westermani. Since mice immunized with P. westermani worm extracts acquire resistance to challenge with S. mansoni cercariae, a common link of cross-protection to the parasitic trematodes is suggested; i.e., FhSmIII(M). Although immunity to schistosomes is undoubtedly multifactorial, the demonstration of a common protective antigen (or determinant) will provide a handle for the evaluation of additional candidate protective antigens.