Antigenic cross-reactivity between the human whipworm, Trichuris trichiura, and the mouse trichuroids Trichuris muris and Trichinella spiralis

Cross-reactivity was demonstrated between circulating antibodies from Trichuris trichiura-infected humans and T. muris-infected mice for heterologous antigen preparations. Mouse immune sera raised against excretory/secretory (E/S) products and anterior end homogenate from adult T. muris showed marked affinity for T. trichiura adult homogenate in ELISA, and 35S-methionine-labelled adult T. muris E/S products were precipitated by T. trichiura infection sera. Monoclonal antibodies recognizing a 48 kD Trichinella spiralis muscle larval beta-stichocyte granule antigen also showed avidity for T. trichiura adult homogenate in ELISA, as did serum from mice with patent T. muris worm burdens. This cross-reactivity is thought to result from shared stichocyte antigens and the relevance of this observation is discussed.