@article {40187, title = {Localization of the major immunogen and other glycoproteins of the louse Polyplax spinulosa}, journal = {International Journal for Parasitology}, volume = {24}, year = {1994}, month = {1994}, pages = {1005 - 1010}, abstract = {A 31-kDa immunogenic glycoprotein of Polyplax spinulosa was localized on louse sections using indirect immunofluorescence with specific antibodies of louse-infested rats and using fluorescein-labelled lectins. Antibodies of infested rats reacted specifically with midgut epithelium and semi-digested content of the gut. They did not bind to other louse tissues including salivary glands. The lectins concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin bound strongly to the immunogen, the gut and its semidigested contents. Electrophoretic and blotting analysis showed the presence of a 31-kDa glycoprotein component reacting with specific rat antibodies, concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin in louse faeces. The result indicates that the 31-kDa immunogen is secreted by the midgut epithelium into the gut lumen and faeces. We suggest that rats become immunized by scratching the lice faeces into the skin.}, keywords = {antibody response, antigen, antigens, glycoprotein, guinea pigs, immunization, Infestation, louse, Phthiraptera, Polyplax, protein, rat, serum}, author = {Volf,P.} }