Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2009
A Fasciola hepatica tegument antigen preparation was obtained from intact adult worms by solubilization with a non-ionic detergent, Nonident P-40. This antigen preparation contains antigens useful for the serodiagnosis of infection with this parasite. However, the antigen preparation is inadequate for use in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The present work demonstrates that fractionation by demulsification of this antigen preparation with ammonium sulphate results in a soluble aqueous phase which contains F. hepatica serodiagnostic antigens which can then be applied to the ELISA. This F. hepatica tegument antigen preparation when used m the ELISA can detect rabbit fascioliasis two weeks after infection, with antibody levels peaking by 10 to 12 weeks of infection.