[Soluble metabolic antigens of Trichinella spiralis: their isolation and characteristics]

Cultivation of Trichinella muscular larvae, purified by centrifugation in 20 ... 50% saccharose density gradient, in protein--free nutrient media at a dosage of 3.5-.10(3) lar./ml in the presence of insulin has made it possible to obtain a soluble antigen of Trichinella. It has been shown by means of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel that the soluble (secretory-excretory) antigen has three protein fractions while the somatic Trichinella antigen has 18 fractions. It has been shown that the soluble (secretory-excretory) antigen can be used for immobilization of erythrocytes on the surface that enables the sensitivity and specificity of serological methods for diagnosis of trichinellosis to be increased.