Detection of MHC products on the surface of Taenia solium cysticerci from humans.

Abstract

Human Major Histocompatibility Complex products were searched for on the surface of Taenia solium cysticerci removed from HLA typed patients or from autopsy cases (unknown phenotype) by immunofluorescence using alloantisera and monoclonal antibodies. The symptomatology of the patients and the morphology of the parasites were recorded. At least one human Leukocyte host antigen (HLA) was found on the surface of 5 out of 6 cysts from surgery cases; absorption with platelets eliminated positivity of anti-class I antibodies in one case only. Bw6 was found on 4 intracerebral cysts and A2 on 2 parasites out of 15 cysts obtained from 8 autopsies. The frequency of A2 was similar to the one prevailing in the mexican population HLA positive parasites were more frequently found in symptomatic cases and dead cysts, while absence of HLA was predominant in undamaged parasites. The data obtained by the use of polymorphic and monomorphic monoclonal antibodies suggest that HLA molecules are exposed on the parasite surface in a similar way as in cell membranes. Presence of HLA correlated with damage and symptomatology, indicating that these molecules are related to induction of host MHC restricted effector mechanisms rather than to parasite immune evasion.