Elution mode of Pneumocystis carinii cysts in gravitational field-flow fractionation

The simplest field-flow fractionation technique, i.e. gravitational, was used in an attempt to purify a Pneumocystis carinii cyst suspension. This parasite is an opportunistic invader in immunocompromised patients, especially those suffering from AIDS. The cyst stage is spherical and 5 microns in diameter. Unexpected retention times, not systematically related to the size and the density of the parasite, were obtained under various experimental conditions. When silicone-coated walls were used, Pneumocystis carinii cysts were eluted in the void volume, whereas when uncoated walls were used with a sodium dodecyl sulphate-enriched carrier phase, retention was observed. These phenomena are probably related to the high degree of hydrophobicity of these micrometre-sized biological particles; this degree can be easily determined. The use of the gravitational field-flow fractionation technique can be of a great interest for the development of new methods for diagnostic purposes. Particle-wall interactions and their modifications due to the carrier phase or to the wall treatment can be employed in the search for new bronchoalveolar lavage solutions.