[Identification and isolation of common antigens of Fasciola hepatica]

Four antigenic polypeptides present in excretion-secretion antigens which were common to Fasciola hepatica somatic and tegumentary antigens, were identified by Western blotting and purified by affinity chromatography. Monoclonal antibody ES78 was used to that purpose. Molecular weights calculated for these polypeptides ranged from 37 to 13 kd; they proved to be highly reactive with sera from animals experimentally infected by Fasciola hepatica in periods as early as the second week of infection, with maximal values in weeks 6 and 10.