Hydatidosis in Belgium: analysis of larval Echinococcus granulosus by SDS-PAGE and western blotting.

Echinococcosis/hydatidosis is characterized by the existence of various strains of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. In order to study the degree of variability in Belgium, protoscoleces (PS) were isolated from infected intermediate hosts (horse, cattle, pig, goat and man). Homogenate supernatants of these PS were compared by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting: 15 to 26 predominantly silver staining bands (depending on the source of the parasites), were selected to study existing homologies among these possible strains. Antisera raised against PS homogenates of horse, cattle, pig and goat origin, were used to compare antigenicity by western blotting. The results indicate a closer similarity between E. granulosus of horse, goat and pig origin whereas E. granulosus derived from cattle showed less homology with any of the former. Results are discussed against the background of the occurrence of E. granulosus in Belgium.