TSL-1 antigens share an immunodominant carbohydrate epitope
(tyvelose),which is unique for Trichinella and elicits the major antibody
response in the late stage of Trichinella infection. They can be purified by
affinity chromatography with mAbs. TSL-1 antigens are specific to the
ML stage and are lost during the accelerated larval moulting [6].
Immunocytolocalization studies showed that TSL-1 antigens are primarily
at the cuticle and in alpha- and beta stichocytes. mAbs against
TSL-1 recognized the 40–70 kDa antigens from ML homogenates
under reducing conditions, and they recognized the 45–55 kDa antigens
in ES products under non-reducing conditions [31]. TSL-1 antigen
epitopes are highly conserved and can been recognized by antibodies
that are induced by different Trichinella species. Thus, enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) that are based on TSL-1 antigens can
detect any Trichinella species infection [19]. The 45-, 49-, and 53 kDa
glycoproteins are the major ES antigens and they were purified by
affinity chromatography with mAbs