Characterization of epitopes on excretory‐secretory antigens of Taenia saginata metacestodes recognized by monoclonal antibodies with immunodiagnostic potential

SUMMARY Four monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) produced against the excretory-secretory (ES) antigens o/Taenia saginata metacestodes are currently used for the detection of circulating antigen in the sera of cattle with bovine cysticercosis. The epitopes recognised by these MoAb were characterized by periodate oxidation, alkaline borohydride and heat treatment, trichloroacetic acid precipitation, enzymatic proteolysis and deglycosylation of the ES-products. These results together with those of the homologous sandwich, inhibition and competition ELISAs showed that three repetitive epitopes are recognized, which are present on the tegument and on the ES-products of T. saginata metacestodes. They are different from phos-phorylcholine and seem to be either of carbohydrate or partly carbohydrate/partly protein nature.