Detection of Haemonchus contortus surface antigen in faeces from infected sheep

An antigen capture enzyme-linked immosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed that could identify Haemonchus contortus antigens in dilute suspensions of worm homogenates and in faeces from sheep naturally infected with moderate burdens of the parasite. The ELISA is based on a polyclonal (rabbit or sheep) antibody coated solid-phase that captures parasite antigen from a suspension of worms or faeces. The captured antigen is detected by a mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb E2) that is reactive with a cuticle surface antigen of H. contortus. Binding of MAb E2 was shown to be specific for H. contortus and the ELISA was able to detect this antigen in faeces of some infected sheep. Characterisation of the antigen reacting with MAb E2 indicates it to be a collagenase and protease resistant surface protein of H. contortus that under reducing conditions in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis exists as polypeptides of molecular weight 122, 56 and 49 kDA.