A NOVEL METHOD OF PURIFICATION OF SPECIFIC HYDATID CYST ANTIGEN

Hydatid cyst fluid has been used as a source of antigen for the serodiagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus infection. Due to cross-reactions with antigens shared by other helminthes, the specific antigen from hydatid cyst fluid was purified by many workers. We used a relatively simple technique for purification of specific antigen from sheep hydatid cyst fluid. Isopycnic ultracentrifugation with 30% KEr was used followed by SDS-PAGE to check the purity of the antigen. The antigen was of 48 kDa and used in ELISA and IRA with high sensitivity and specificity.