The immunodiagnostic potential of Echinococcus granulosus adult-worm antigens in human cystic echinococcosis

Echinococcus granulosus adult-worm antigens were characterised for assessment of their immunodiagnostic potential for human cystic echinococcosis (CE). The analysis of worm extracts by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed a sensitivity of 83% for CE, which is comparable with data obtained for cyst-fluid-based serodiagnostic tests. Immunoprecipitation of in vitro-translated E. granulosus worm mRNA revealed a range of low-molecular-weight antigenic proteins (12-45 kDa) recognised by human CE sera. E. granulosus adult worms may provide an additional or alternative source to metacestode material for the isolation of both native and recombinant antigens to be considered for the serodiagnosis of human echinococcosis.