SDS-PAGE and immunological analysis of different axenic Blastocystis hominis strains.

Consistent major differences were detected by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and Ouchterlony immunodiffusion in four axenic and microscopically indistinguishable strains of the anaerobic human parasite Blastocystis hominis from different sources. It is concluded that at least two variants with different polypeptide patterns and antigens exist and the biological significance of these findings is discussed.