Analysis of Schistosoma japonicum antigens useful for serodiagnosis employing sera of infected mice by immunoblotting.

Antigens suitable for serodiagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica were investigated using immunoblotting in the course of the infections with Schistosoma japonicum in mice.Major antibodies to four adult worm antigens were found in the infected sera.Molecular weights of those antigens were determined to be 32 kD, 70 kD, 76 kD and 95 kD, respectively.Above all, antibody to the 32 kD antigen was first detected in mice sera 5 weeks after infection and was thereafter shown clearly in all of the infected mice sera throughout the experiment.From the results obtained in this study the 32 kD component was suggested to be the most useful antigen for the serodiagnosis of the disease.