Immunocytochemical studies on Schistosoma mansoni. II. Soluble cercarial antigens in cercarial and schistosomules.

The localization of soluble, cercarial antigen preparation (CAP) in cercariae and schistosomules of Schistosoma mansoni was performed at the light and electron microscope levels using the unlabeled antibody method. Reaction produce was observed associated with the contents of the pre- and postacetabular glands and with the filamentous coat of mature cercariae. No reaction product was observed associated with the glycoacalyx of schistosomules. However, several schistosomules did retain remnants of their filamentous coats and reaction product was observed associated with those remains. CAP components were also observed in the area surrounding the intrasporocyst cercariae.