Immunocytochemical localization of antigens recognized by human antisera in infective larvae of Wuchereria bancrofti.

Ultrathin sections of L3 of Wuchereria bancrofti embedded in hydrophilic resin were incubated with antisera pools from individuals (1) asymptomatic microfilaremic with different microfilaria (mf) densities (1-100, 101-500, and >1,000 mf/ml); (2) chronic with hydrocele or lymphedema; and (3) with no evidence of microfilaremia or clinical filariasis but residing in an endemic area. The groups of microfilaremic subjects studied presented differences relative to the intensity of labeling, with the density of gold particles per square micrometer proportional to microfilaremia. Incubation of ultrathin sections of W. bancrofti L3 larvae in the presence of antisera from patients exhibiting chronic obstructive lymphatic pathology of hydrocele and from individuals with clear clinical evidence of lymphedema exhibited a strong reaction in the same tissues. Except for the endemic normal group, all groups studied showed reactivity against epitopes in all tissues of infective larvae of W. bancrofti. The cuticle presented an intense labeling, suggesting a possible target structure for immune response.