Identification of non-cross-reacting antigens of Onchocerca volvulus with lymphatic filariasis serum pools.

Onchocerca volvulus proteins labelled with 125I were immunoprecipitated with onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis human serum pools in order to differentiate between cross-reacting and non-cross-reacting antigens. Analysis of the immunoprecipitates by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that all high molecular weight (Mr) O. volvulus antigens cross-reacted with the lymphatic filariasis serum pools. We observed, however, that at least 8 O. volvulus antigens were specifically immunoprecipitated only by the onchocerciasis serum pools, with Mr ranging from 20,000 up to 43,000 Daltons. These results suggest that the lower Mr O. volvulus antigens are more species specific than the other antigens. The significance of these findings for the immunodiagnosis of onchocerciasis is discussed.