Proteolytic, antigenic and immunogenic properties of Schistosoma mansoni cercarial secretion material.

Schistosoma mansoni cercariae secrete preacetabular gland material in association with skin penetration. The material is heterogeneous and contains proteolytic enzyme(s) which comprise a small proportion of the total protein. We have immunized mice with cercarial secretion material in several protocols designed to induce a variety of antibody responses. The cercarial secretion material is sufficiently immunogenic to induce precipitating and reaginic antibody production. The antibodies obtained were not of the necessary quantity and/or quality to afford protection from a challenge infection.