Initial fractionation of adult Schistosoma bovis antigen for diagnosis of infection in cattle.

Initial work on the fractionation of Schistosoma bovis adult worms is described. Both male and female worms were homogenized and sonicated before being passed through Sephadex G200. Five peaks were obtained with male fractionation (designed M1 to M5) and four with female (designated F1 and F4). Using the complement fixation test S. bovis antigen activity was detected primarily in peaks M1 and F1. With the indirect haemagglutination and indirect haemagglutination inhibition tests S. bovis antigen activity was detected rimarily in peaks M1, M2, M3, F1 and F2. Crude or fractionated antigens were used to sensitize cells and the latter tested against sera from either S. bovis infected cattle or S. bovis free but Fasciola gigantica infected cattle. No advantage was found using the fractionated antigens, some peaks causing an actual increase in the amount of cross-reaction. The results are discussed in relation to previous studies on the fractionation of both S. bovis and other schistosome species.