Epitope specificities and antibody responses to the EG95 hydatid vaccine

Abstract

Antibody isotype and epitope specificities were examined in sheep immunized with EG95, a protective recombinant vaccine against hydatid disease. All sheep immunized with EG95 as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST) produced prominent IgG antibodies against the EG95 portion of the protein. Linear, antibody-binding epitope specificities of EG95 were mapped using a series of 25 overlapping synthetic peptides. Three immunodominant regions were identified which generated specific IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies in the majority of vaccinated sheep. These regions corresponded to the EG95-derived sequences SLKAVNPSDPLVYKRQTAKF, DIETPRAGKKESTVMTSGSA and SALTSAIAGFVFSC. An additional immunog..