Analysis of the variable antigen composition of Trypanosoma brucei brucei metacyclic trypanosomes using monoclonal antibodies.

The metacyclic trypanosomes of a Trypanosoma brucei brucei clone (ILTat 2.1) were analysed with regard to their variable antigen (VAT) composition using monoclonal antibodies. The metacyclic population was antigenically heterogeneous. Despite the heterogeneity, however, the overall VAT composition of the metacyclic population appeared to be limited in number. A similar pattern of reactivity was observed when the monoclonal antibodies were tested on metacyclics of another clone (IL Tat 2.2) derived from a rabbit 30 days after infection with IL Tat 2.1 as well as those of the parent stock (STIB 247). The VAT characteristics of the metacyclics of this serodeme were consistent regardless of whether they were transmitted by Glossina morsitans morsitans or G.m. centralis. The monoclonal antibodies also reacted with some of the bloodstream VATs isolated within 72 h from cyclically infected mice. None of the monoclonal antibodies, however, reacted with metacyclics of a different stock (LUMP 227).