Immunogenicity of the different stages of Eimeria falciformis var. pragensis

The immunogenicity of the different stages of E. falciformis var. pragensis was evaluated with the indirect fluorescent antibody reaction. Sporozoites, mature asexual stages and merozoites treated with sera from immune mice and with fluorescein-conjugated goat antimouse gammaglobulin showed the most intence specific fluoresence. The immature asexual stages and the sexual stages fluoresced weakly, whereas the sporocysts and oocysts did not specifically fluoresce. On the basis of the intensity of the immunofluorescence, the sporoziotes and mature asexual generations (merozoites) were considered to be more immunogenic than that immature asexual and the sexual stages. Antibodies against sporocysts and oocysts could not be demonstrated.