The serum antibody response of infected rats, rabbits, lambs and calves to Fasciola hepatica adult antigen fractions separated by preparative flatbed iso-electrofocusing.

Electrofocusing of F. hepatica adult antigen in granulated gels separated the material into 22 arbitrary fractions. Polyacrylamide gel analysis demonstrated groups of proteins with similar iso-electric points in 19 of the fractions. A microplate ELISA detected antigens in all 22 fractions and was used to test the serum antibody response in infected rats, rabbits, lambs and calves to these antigen fractions. The results indicated that rat and calf sera gave a much stronger response than rabbit and lamb sera to the antigens which separated above pH 7.0. It is possible that the greater efficiency of the rat and bovine immune systems in combating re-infection with F. hepatica may be related to this response.