Fractionation of Aspergillus fumigatus antigens by hydrophobic interaction chromatography and gel filtration.

Aspergillus fumigatus somatic antigen prepared from young hyphae was fractionated by hydrophobic interaction chromatography followed by gel filtration. The antigenic activity of fractions was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, crossed immunoelectrophoresis, and immunodiffusion. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, high levels of IgG antibodies were detected against an antigen fraction of approximate molecular weight 470,000 both in patients with aspergillosis (n = 3) and in healthy controls (n = 3). High levels of antibodies to four fractions of MW 250,000 160,000, 160,000-50,000, and 50,000-25,000 were found only in patients. The MW 250,000 fraction exhibited catalase activity, and the MW 50,000-25,000 fraction had neutral protease activity. These purified aspergillus antigens may be useful in serodiagnosis of aspergillosis.