SDS-PAGE protein pattern and its antigenicity analysis of different isolates of Schistosoma japonicum in China.

Homogenates prepared from S. japonicum adult worms of different isolates from Anhui, Hubei, Guangxi, Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and enzyme linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) tested with rabbit anti-snails antibody. The results of SDS-PAGE indicated that with silver staining both male and female worms of Guangxi isolate showed some definite differences in their protein profile, namely, absence of one band between 50-75 kDa in male worms and marked reduction in quantity of > 110 and 30 kDa bands in female worms. There was no obvious difference among other isolates both in male and female worms. The EITB patterns were similar in S. japonicum of Anhui and Hubei, and it was also the case with isolates from Yunnan and Sichuan, except that Yunnan female worms had a distinct band at 84 kDa which could hardly be seen in EITB pattern of Sichuan female worms; female worms of Guangxi isolates also showed a distinct 84 kDa band. The EITB pattern of male worms from Guangxi isolates showed 2 main bands of MW > 130 kDa against anti-Anhui snail antiserum which corresponded with the result of male worms of Anhui isolates. But these bands could not be seen with male worms from isolates of Yunnan and Sichuan.