Development of a schistosoma mansoni

Abstract

Through the use of Schistosoma mansoni antigens we attempted to develop a non-invasive assay that would diagnose an infection of intestinal schistosomiasis. We isolated parts of the Schistosoma mansoni parasite shed during its infestation of the host (e.g. skin, eggs, tegument, circulating cathoiodic antigen [CCA], circulating aniodic antigen [CAA]) from the urine of infected individuals to develop mono-clonal antibodies against the parasite. The antibodies would be used in dipstick assays to detect the presence of S. mansoni antigens in the urine of infected people. The assay can be a valuable tool in field for the diagnoses of schistosomiasis without the need for bulky lab equipment. Quick, sensitive and easy to use, the dipstick assay requires no formal training in its application.