Abstract
The in situ distribution of excretory/secretory (ES) antigens of the infective-stage larvae of Trichinella spiralis and T. pseudospiralis was compared at various periods of development by immunofluorescent laser confocal microscopy and the immunoperoxidase method. In the former infection, epitopes of the ES antigens were always confined exclusively within the nurse cell, i.e., in the cytoplasmic region, hypertrophic nuclei, stichocytes, and cuticular surface of worms. In the latter infection, as early as at day 15 postinfection, ES epitopes were located along the infected myofibers, in the adjacent muscles, hypertrophic nuclei, stichocytes, and cuticular surface of worms. By day 30 postinfection there was a marked increase in both the distribution and the intensity of ES antigens in infected as opposed to uninfected myofibers. A new method was also developed to reveal the number of hypertrophic nuclei, small cells, and larvae in intact nurse cells. As many as four worms could be accommodated within a single complex. The number of hypertrophic nuclei within each complex varied from 15 to 81.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 10 May 1999 / Accepted: 28 May 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Li, C., Chung, Y. & Ko, R. The distribution of excretory/secretory antigens during the muscle phase of Trichinella spiralis and T. pseudospiralis infections. Parasitol Res 85, 993–998 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004360050671
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004360050671