Protein profiles as an aid to taxonomy in the genus Diphyllobothrium.

Specific and distinct protein profiles were demonstrated by isoelectric focusing performed on soluble whole-body proteins of four Diphyllobothrium species. The protein patterns differed in number, position and relative density of the fractions separated. Altogether 31-36 protein bands per species were separated by isoelectric focusing in thin-layer polyacrylamide gels. The results show that sensitive chemotaxonomic methods can be used to help characterize and delimit species in the troublesome Diphyllobothrium group.