[Identification, by Western blot, of Fasciola hepatica immunogens recognized by the sera of experimentally infected rats]. / Identificación, mediante western blot, de inmunógenos de Fasciola hepatica, reconocidos por los sueros de ratas infectadas experimentalmente.

This paper was aimed at identifying the main components present in the excretory-secretory antigens of adult parasite which are recognized by the sera of rats experimentally infected with metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica, by using the Western Blot technique. The cynetics of antibodies was also determined with and indirect ELISA. The results obtained allowed to find 31 components with approximate molecular weights from 11 to 136 kD. The predominant fractions were the following: 11-13 kD, 14-16 kD, 23-33 kD, 55-57 kD, 65-71 kD, and 86-136 kD. Antibodies were detected from the 2nd. week of infection in 80% of the animals and from the 3rd. week in 100% of them. There were no antibodies during the first week. The identification of these antibodies may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of immunity linked with the infection by F. hepatica.