Abstract
An approach to the identification of parasite proteins which are immunogenic in natural infections is described, using the infection with the larval stage ofEchinococcus multilocularisas a parasite model. Metacestode proteins were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and transferred electrophoretically to nitrocellulose sheets (Western blotting). Subsequently, immune recognition of the proteins was performed with various host sera and antigen-antibody complexes were detected enzymatically. Using homologous antisera, different patterns of immunogenic bands were revealed by sera of different host species. Cross-reactions with sera from individuals infected with unrelated helminths were analysed. Four proteins ofE. multiloculariswhich failed to show any cross-reaction were identified.

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