Parasite immunology
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Parasite immunology · Nov 1998
Relevance of circulating antigen detection to follow-up experimental and human cystic hydatid infections.
We analysed specific antibody (Ab) and circulating antigen (CAg) profiles along experimental mouse infection using as control a group of mice immunized with intact but dead parasites. Results from this experiment showed an early major CAg peak followed by a larger Ab peak which partially overlaps with other minor CAg peaks. These results suggest that CAg may be a marker of early mouse infection. ⋯ Some of the former patients showed CAg, as early as two months after surgery while no CAg was observed in the other five patients at any time. In addition, a collection of 38 sera obtained before surgery were similarly tested and five of them showed only CAg, while 18 showed only Ab and 12 sera showed Ab&CAg. These results in humans are consistent with the findings in the mouse experimental model and suggest that CAg may be an early marker of hydatid infection, thus being relevant for post-surgical follow-up.