Characterization of surface and intracellular glycoconjugates in larval forms of Echinococcus multilocularis using lectins

Carbohydrate moieties have been detected with nine fluorescent lectins in Echinococcus multilocularis cysts, developed in liver and lung of infested jirds. Tegument and glycocalyx, and two types of medullary cells were found to selectively and strongly bind lectins which are specifically adsorbed by N acetyl glucosamine, N acetyl galactosamine, galactose or mannose. The significance of these features in the host-parasite interaction are discussed.