Removal of hepatitis associated antigen from plasma

Abstract

Hepatitis associated antigen is removed from plasma and plasma fractions by admixing the plasma with ethylene oxide-propylene glycol condensation product at a temperature of from about 0.degree. to 39.degree. centigrade. Under these conditions a precipitate is formed. The concentration of condensation product is adjusted so that all of the hepatitis associated antigen remains either in the precipitate or the liquid phase. Separation of the resultant liquid and solid phases produces a liquid phase which is entirely free of the undesired antigen. The concentration of condensation product which is required to cause complete precipitation of hepatitis associated antigen increases with increasing temperature from a value of about 9 percent, on a weight per volume basis, at about 0.degree. centigrades to a value of about 28 percent at about 39.degree. centigrade. All of the hepatitis associated antigen remains in the liquid phase at condensation product concentrations of less than about 7 percent at about 9.degree. centigrade and about 15 percent at about 39.degree. centigrade. At intermediate concentrations hepatitis associated antigen appears in both phases.

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