Immunogenicity of larvae molting membrane against human eosinophilia sera.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate whether proteins present in the molting membranes of third-stage (L3) larvae could serve as potential risk factors for allergic reactions.

METHODS

Third-stage larvae (L3) of spp. were primarily collected from mackerels and cultured in vitro to yield both molting membranes and fourth-stage (L4) larvae. Major soluble proteins in the molting membranes were identified using SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Crude antigens extracted from L3, L4, and the molting membranes were subsequently evaluated by western blotting using sera from -infected rabbits and patients with eosinophilia.

RESULTS

Antigens derived from the molting membranes reacted with sera from -infected rabbits as well as with sera from 7 patients with eosinophilia of unknown origin. These findings suggest that unidentified proteins in the molting membranes of L3 may contribute to early allergic reactions, particularly in patients sensitized by specific molecular components.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that proteins present in the molting membranes of third-stage spp. larvae may be associated with allergic responses. Further studies are required to confirm the correlation between these membranes and -induced allergies.