الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 247 |  |  |
| | | from | 247 | | |
Abstract
Globally, schistosomiasis , is one of the most wide spread parasitic infection affecting hwnanity. An estimated 600 million people are exposed, and more than 200 million are infected at present While offering cure to the individual and reducing transmission, chemotherapy may not be the uhimate answer to the problem of schistosomiasis control. So a major focus of research has been directed to identitY, puritY and characterize the schistosomal antigens that may have a vaccine and / or diagnostic potential. The generation of protective monoclonal antibodies is the most widely utilized approach followed by identification and synthesis of the relevant target epitopes. Several schistosomal antigens, having a potential in immunodiagnosis and immunoprophylaxis have been characterized using monoclonal antibodies. A monoclonal antibody against .s.., mansoni, designated BRLF4-mAb was recenlly prepared and produced by one of the supervIsors of the present thesis (Attallah et aI., 1993b). This monoclonal antibody was tested to passively confer resistance against .s.., mansoni infection and to reduce the worm load at a level of 51. 5 %. In the present study, this monoclonal antibody recognized an antigen on the gut and tegumental ~tubercles of the adult S. mansom worms uSll1g indirect alkaline phosphatase immunostaining.