Immunochemical Studies on East Coast Fever: I. Partial Segregation and Characterization of the Theileria Parva Schizont Antigen

Abstract

Serologically specific antigens of Theileria parva were extracted from schizonts in infected bovine lymphoblast. The antigens were readily detected by complement fixation and immunodiffusion tests. Partial characterization of the antigens was achieved by Sephadex G200 chromatography, density gradient centrifugation, and precipitation in ammonium sulphate solution. The results indicate that the major antigen has a molecular weight in the region of 200,000 to 400,000 with sedimentation coefficient of approximately 7S.