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Solubilization studies on the epicuticular antigens of Strongyloides ratti

Antigens on the epicuticular surface of Strongyloides ratti infective third-stage larvae (L3) were demonstrated by both ferritin-conjugated antibody and indirect fluorescent antibody techniques. The rat antibodies from immune serum that bind to these antigens were chiefly of the IgG2a subclass. Solubilization of these antigens by extraction with detergents, hypertonic salt, organic solvents and by freezing and thawing was limited as measured by the reduction in antibody binding to the epicuticle. The epicuticular antigens were resistant in situ to degradation by a variety of proteases, carbohydrases and lipase. Infectivity of the L3 in the rat was not reduced by prior sensitization with rat antibody. The epicuticular antigens are not completely species-specific since antibody from S. ransomi-infected pigs cross-reacted well with S. ratti L3 antibody. However, high levels of resistance to S. ratti could be induced in rats only by multiple inoculations of heat-killed S. ratti L3.

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