The possibility of GST antigen from Chinese strain of Schistosoma japonicum for immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis.

The GST antigen (called 26-28 kDa antigen) extracted and purified from Schistosoma japonicum adult worms was applied to the detection of specific antibodies in sera of infected mice and mice immunized with the above protein antigen by ELISA technique. The 26-28 kDa antigen was better than crude antigens (SEA, SWAP) when used to detect specific antibodies in sera from immunized mice. As with crude antigens (SEA and SWAP), the 26-28 kDa antigen could be used to detect specific antibodies in infected sera, with titers as high as 1:160-1:320. There were no false positive reactions and a positivity rate as high as that using SWAP occurred when the 26-28 kDa antigen was used in schistosomiasis patients and normal subjects by intradermal test. It is suggested that the 26-28 kDa antigen may be a suitable candidate for immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis.