Workshop on a detailed characterization of Trichinella spiralis antigens: a platform for future studies on antigens and antibodies to this parasite.

In order to characterize immunodominant components of T. spiralis a workshop was organized. In this the reactivity of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, provided by different research groups, towards total extracts from adult, new born larvae and muscle larvae as well as to excretory/secretory components of muscle larvae were tested by ELISA, Western blot and immunoprecipitation assays. As a result of this workshop T. spiralis ML antigens have been classified into eight groups (TSL-1-TSL-8) according to their recognition by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Among them, TSL-1 antigens have been the most extensively characterized both biochemically and immunologically. These antigens are stage specific, originate in the muscle stichosome and are abundant in both E/S and on the larval cuticular surface. The TSL-1 antigens share an immunodominant carbohydrate epitope (tyvelose), which is unique for Trichinella and is not associated with phosphorylcholine. The data collected in this workshop has allowed both the unification of the nomenclature for T. spiralis antigens and their biochemical characterization. It also has provided a platform for further studies on the characterization of other T. spiralis antigens and indeed for other Trichinella species.