Molecular cloning of an immunodominant antigen of Onchocerca volvulus.

198845 citationsJournal Articlebronze Open Access

Authors

Richard Lucius · Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

Ngozi Erondu · Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

A Kern · Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

J E Donelson · Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

Abstract

We have cloned and characterized the gene for an immunodominant antigen of O. volvulus that is recognized by the sera of 96% of patients with onchocerciasis. Its 1.2-kb mRNA constitutes 0.3% of adult worm poly(A)+ RNA and its cDNA sequence reveals that it is not a highly conserved structural protein such as actin or tubulin. Similar but not identical genes occur in the genomes of related filarie, Brugia malayi and Dirofilaria immitis. The recombinant antigen has both immunodiagnostic and immunoprophylactic significance.

Topics & Keywords

Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment Insects and Parasite Interactions Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Life in Land

Publication Details

Published in: The Journal of Experimental Medicine

Volume 168, Issue 3, pp. 1199-1204

DOI: 10.1084/jem.168.3.1199

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 2.69