Antibody maturation in Trypanosoma cruzi infected rats

IVÁN S. MARCIPAR (DIRECTOR Y EJECUTOR PRINCIPAL), MARIKENA G. RISSO, ARIEL M. SILBER, SILVIA REVELLI AND ALBERTO J. MARCIPAR

CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IMMUNOLOGY.

Año: 2001 vol. 8 p. 802 - 805

1071-412X

The study of antibody avidity changes during infection has improved the understanding of the pathologic processes involved in several infectious diseases. In some infections, like toxoplasmosis, this information is being used for diagnostic purposes. Results of the evolution of antibody avidity for different specific antigens in Trypanosoma cruzi infected rats are presented. A Western blot technique, combined with avidity analysis to identify antigens that elicit high avidity antibodies is suggested. In this system, antibodies showed hight avidity values only during the chronic phase of infection and only in relation to antibodies against 21, 33, 41, 42, 56, 58, 66 and 72 kDa antigens. Finally, a 97 kDa Trypanosoma cruzi antigen, recognized by high avidity antibodies and occurring in non-infected rats, was identified. These results allow us to evaluate the different antigens in chagasic infection. Our results show that with the correct choice of antigen it is possible to detect differences in maturation of antibodies and to discriminate, in an experimental model, between recent (acute) and chronic infections.