Evidence for adsorption of heterospecific host immunoglobulin on the tegument of Schistosoma mansoni.

Mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni were immunized against human type B Rh-positive (B+) RBC, bovine serum albumin, or horseradish peroxidase. Adult parasites, recovered by perfusion, extensively washed, and incubated in their respective antigens, selectively bound to their tegumental surfaces only those antigens to which their murine host had been immunized. All controls supported the specificity of those reactions leading to the conclusion that adult S. mansoni in mice have the ability to adsorb heterospecific antibody onto their tegumental surfaces. These surface immunoglobulins were lost within 10 min when complexed with theri antigens or within 2.5 hr when incubated at 37 degrees C. Parasites that had lost their tegumental immunoglobulins regained them when incubated in normal mouse or rat anti-human type B Rh-negative (B-) RBC serum. Those parasites that had their surface immunoglobulins reconstituted with rat anti-human B- serum specifically bound human B- RBC, suggesting the possible presence of Fc receptors on adult S. mansoni.