Comparison and Evaluation of Echinococcus Granulosus Protoscoleces Excretory/Secretory Proteins in PBS Complemented with Glucose, DMEM and RPMI Culture Media

Preparation of proper antigens is an important issue in serology of hydatidosis. Investigators have been able to obtain excretory/secretory antigens (E/S Ags) by short-term culture of protoscoleces in a couple of culture media. However, no data are available about production rate of such antigens in different culture media. The present study was carried out to evaluate the production of E/S Ags (proteins) in PBS complemented with glucose, DMEM and RPMI culture media. To obtain E/S proteins, protoscoleces of echinococcus were cultured in PBS complemented with 10% glucose, RPMI and DMEM for 72 hours. Proteins secreted in culture media were concentrated and assayed. To characterize different components, proteins were electrophoresed on SDS-PAGE. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. The mean concentration of E/S proteins in PBS medium in 24 hours of culture was significantly higher than DMEM and RPMI (P<0.05). However, such a difference was not observed between E/S proteins in DMEM and RPMI media. E/S proteins obtained from PBS medium were separated into 12 major bands and the two other media into 14 major bands within a range of molecular masses of 16 to 67 kDa. PBS complemented with glucose is more appropriate than the two other media for E/S proteins production. The best time to obtain E/S proteins is the first 48 hours of culture.