Resumen

DE NOYA, B Alarcón; COLMENARES, C  y  NOYA, O. Comunidad Antigénica y Reactividad Cruzada: Su repercusión en el Diagnóstico y Tratamiento de Enfermedades Parasitarias. Especial referencia a Esquistosomiasis. AVFT [online]. 2001, vol.20, n.2, pp.163-171. ISSN 0798-0264.

Geographical, environmental, cultural and economical conditions favor polyparasitism of several agents in tropical areas. Different species of parasites or from different genera, families or phyla, or between parasites and their vectors, usually share molecules that are able to elicit common immune responses, that are defined as antigenic community, responsible for cross reactivity. This phenomenon may have the advantage of the possible application of an effective product (vaccine or drug) simultaneous against different species of parasites. One of the most deleterious consequences is the inespecific reactions in immunodiagnostic test. Additionally, immune response against some pathogens could be inespecifically directed against host tissues, being responsible for autoimmune reactions. In certain parasitic diseases like schistosomiasis, there are still some problems of inespecifity with other helminths. In Venezuela where intestinal parasites, schistosomiasis and cysticercosis can overlap, classic immunoenzymatic assays overestimate prevalences, limiting the capacity of the control programme for the application of massive treatment with praziquantel. Research directed to improve immunodiagnosis, reducing false positives with tests based on the demonstration of specific circulating antibodies or antigens, are currently being investigated.

Palabras clave : Community antigenic; Parasites; Cross-reaction; Immunodiagnosis.