Analysis of antibody responses to Hymenolepis nana infection in mice by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and immunoprecipitation

Abstract

Summary Serum antibody responses in two strains of mice infected with embryonated eggs of Hymenolepis nana were analysed by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoprecipitation (TP) using sodium deoxycholate (DOC)‐solubilized antigens prepared from embryonaled eggs (eggs), mouse‐derived cysticercoids (cysts) and adult tapeworms with immature segments only (adults). Highly susceptible dd mice, which harbour mature tapeworms for a long period (> 70 days), produced high levels of antibodies to all three different stages of H. nana. BALB/c mice, almost all of which expel adult tapeworms by 30 days after infection, produced high levels of antibody against egg antigens only. The h..