Detection of parasite peptidase in the plasma of heifers infected with Trypanosoma congolense.

Plasma samples from heifers infected with Trypanosoma congolense were shown to contain a parasite peptidase. In some instances, trypanosome peptidase was detected in plasma samples taken from heifers for up to 14 days after infections had been successfully treated with diminazene aceturate (Berenil). Trypanosome peptidase was detected in plasma using starch gel electrophoresis and also by a dot blot assay in which a McAb, raised against the enzyme, was spotted onto nitrocellulose filters which were then used to absorb enzyme from the samples. The molecular weight of the enzyme was approximately 60,000. The possible role that a trypanosome peptidase may play in inducing pathology and its use in the diagnosis of infection and disease are discussed.