S. Shirazi - Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
R. Madani - Proteomics and Biochemistry Department, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
N. Hoghooghi Rad - Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
S. Ranjbar Bahadori - Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran

Hydatid cyst, the larval stage of cestodes Echinococcus spp., is recognized as a zoonotic infection in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently classified echinococcosis in a group of neglected tropical diseases.The prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection is high in Iran due to the presence of various intermediate hosts in this country. Considering the rising trend of this zoonotic parasitic disease based on national epidemiological studies, diagnosis is of great significance. WHO has suggested the use of specific antigens, especially antigen B (AgB) for serological diagnostic tests. In general, AgB is a polymeric lipoprotein, which disintegrates into ۸.۱۲, ۱۶, and ۲۰.۲۴ kDa subunits. In the present study, we applied three different methods for AgB isolation from hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) and compared their efficacy in AgB isolation. Finally, the protein concentration of this antigen was measured by Bradford assay and confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The results showed that the application of polyethylene glycol (PEG ۴۰۰۰) as a thickener agent beside purification of HCF in dialysis bag and filtering and also dialysis against acetate buffer leading to the best quantity in purified antigen B.

Antigen B, Echinococcus granulosus, Hydatid cyst, Isolation