Evidence for surface-coat localisation of a monoclonal antibody-isolated merozoite antigen ofBabesia divergens

Abstract
The localisation of monoclonal antibody-derived merozoite antigens ofBabesia divergens was examined using immunogold electron microscopy and immunoprecipitation of the monoclonal antibody with both biosynthetically and surface-labelled parasites. Immunogold labelling provided evidence that the antigens are components of the surface coat of the merozoite. Immunoprecipitation with biosynthetically labelled parasites showed the antigens to be of parasite origin, whereas surface labelling confirmed that the antigens form part of the surface coat.