In vivo Isolation of Hymenolepis nana and Antibody-binding Sites

Abstract

A RECENT preliminary investigation¹ suggests that antibodies are directed against adult specimens of Hymenolepis nana while located in the ileum of the mouse. The present investigation was carried out to substantiate tentative conclusions regarding the specificity of antibody binding sites previously observed. It appeared, from the earlier experiments, that antibodies were readily available to adult tapeworms, in situ, in that binding sites were partially or completely occupied in the adult stage as ascertained by immunofluorescent staining. Specimens were not, in view of antibody access and possibly excess, available for negative controls. In vivo isolation of the parasites from direct cellular contact and source of antibody for a period of time longer than the half-life of the mouse immune globulin was therefore considered. Under these conditions, previously localized sites should not exhibit fluorescence following application of indirect immunofluorescent staining.