Hydatidosis is one of the most important
zoonotic diseases with a worldwide distribution and it seems that the survival of Echinococcus granulosus in nature for many years, is due to having different mechanisms to escape from the host immune systems. One of these efficient mechanisms is the production of various
antigens and
proteins by the larva of the parasite and the main purpose of this study is evaluation of manifestation of various
antigens in different parts of intermediate host. The hepatic and
pulmonary hydatid cysts were gathered from sheep and the
antigens of different parts of the
cysts (laminated layer, protoscolices and cyst fluid) were separated and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and then transferred to
nitrocellulose paper and finally, Western blot analysis was evaluated the immunogenicity of
proteins. The
antigens of laminated layer, protoscolices and
hydatid cyst fluid, in different tissues of the liver and lungs, manifest various
proteins and also these
antigens are immunogenically different. Also, it is found more immunogenic
proteins in the laminated layer than the other parts of the
cysts. The various
proteins are generated by Echinococcus granulosus larva depending on the type of tissues attacked by the parasite. Increasing the chance of survival may be the main cause of manifestation various
antigens in different parts of
cysts and host tissues. These antigenic variations might have made diagnostic serologic test unreliable.