Separation of parasite antigens by molecular exclusion, anion exchange, and chromatofocusing utilizing FPLC protein fractionation systems.

Excretory-secretory products (ESP) were harvested from balanced salt solutions in which adult Fasciola hepatica had been incubated for 4-6 h at 37 degrees C. The ESP was fractionated by standard low pressure molecular exclusion chromatography and FPLC (fast protein liquid chromatography) using the principles of molecular exclusion, anion exchange, and chromatofocusing. The dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ELISA) was used to demonstrate the immunoreactivity of eluted fractions. Compared to Sephacryl S-200, separation by Superose-6 (FPLC) was faster and resolved more peaks (four with Sephacryl S-200 and nine with Superose-6). Peaks from Sephacryl S-200 were resolved by the first anion exchange (Mono Q) separation into seven peaks; when these peaks were subjected to a second anion exchange, 15 peaks were resolved. Thirty-eight peaks were resolved by chromatofocusing (Mono P) in the pH range 7-4. Immunoreactive fractions from narrow-range (single pH unit) chromatofocusing were identified by the Dot-ELISA. The FPLC system proved to be a means of rapid and high resolution separation of F. hepatica antigens.