Reliability of heterophyid antigens in heterologous protection against human schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical parasitic disease which has been controlled by praziquantel for many decades; however, reemergence of praziquantel resistant strains has been a continuous threat. Therefore, the development of reliable antischistosomal vaccine is significantly demanded for optimal control. In the present study, comparison among and crude antigens was carried out by Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Hyperimmunization of rabbits with tested parasites' crude antigens was done to obtain hyperimmune sera. Western blotting was applied to show cross reactivity between parasites' crude antigens and either homologous or heterologous sera. Although there was no cross reaction between . crude antigens and sera of both species and vice versa; it is supposed that the immunogenic band at 79 kDa might develop cross reactivity with spp. SEA fractionation if used in future studies.