Neurocysticercosis human antigens research in cerebrospinal fluid samples

A detecção de antígenos em amostras de líquido cefalorraquiano (LCR) de pacientes com neurocisticercose (NC) foi realizada empregando-se o teste ELISA com soros policlonais de coelhos imunizados com os antígenos total de Taenia solium (T-Tso), líquido vesicular de Taenia crassiceps (LV-Tcra) e peptídeos <30kDa de LV-Tcra. Os soros policlonais foram fracionados para a obtenção da fração IgG - IgG anti-Tso, IgG antiTcra e IgG anti-Tcra<30kDa. Também foi empregado o anticorpo monoclonal específico para o antígeno de excreção e secreção de Taenia crassiceps (ES-Tcra). A seleção dos clones foi realizada por ELISA empregando-se os antígenos T-Tso e LV-Tcra. Foram analisados diferentes grupos de amostras divididos em: grupo de pacientes com NC (grupo NC), incluindo pacientes em diferentes fases evolutivas da doença, grupo de pacientes \"suspeito\" de NC (grupo \"suspeito\" NC), grupo controle (grupo C) e grupo de outros patologias (grupo OP). No teste ELISA empregando-se as frações IgG anti-Tso, IgG anti-Tcra e IgG anti-Tcra<30kDa, a sensibilidade obtida foi de 70%, 82,5% e 95,8% e a especificidade de 82,5%, 98% e 100%, respectivamente nas amostras do grupo NC e grupo C. Nas amostras do grupo diferentes fases evolutivas da doença, não houve diferença significativa de reatividade entre as amostras com as frações empregadas. Para as 21 amostras do grupo NC - fase ativa da doença, com a fração IgG anti-Tcra e o anticorpo monoclonal anti-ES-Tcra, respectivamente, 13 e 16 amostras foram positivas para a pesquisa de antígenos. As amostras de LCR do grupo C não apresentaram reatividade com os anticorpos empregados nos ensaios. Também foram ensaiadas 68 amostras de LCR de pacientes com \"suspeita\" de NC. De acordo com as características citoprotéicas além da reatividade para a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-T solium, as amostras de LCR apresentaram, neste grupo, padrão de reatividade para a pesquisa de antígenos que variou também de acordo com a presença de anticorpos, além das alterações de proteína e/ou células, que as amostras apresentavam ou não. Frações de 14 e 18kDa foram identificadas pelo teste imunoblot somente nas amostras de LCR de pacientes com NC utilizando as frações IgG anti-Tso, IgG anti-Tcra e anticorpo monoclonal anti-ES-Tcra. O anticorpo monoclonal anti-ES-Tcra mostrou-se eficiente para a pesquisa de antígenos no teste de competição por ELISA nas amostras de LCR de pacientes com NC e o antígeno ES-Tcra.Antigen detection in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients with neurocysticercosis (NC) was performed through ELISA test using rabbits polyclonal sera immune with total antigens of Taenia solium (T-Tso) cysticercus, vesicular liquid of Taenia crassiceps (VL-Tcra) and vesicular liquid peptides (VLP-Tcra<30kDa) cysticercus. The polyclonal sera were separated obtaining IgG-lgG anti-Tso, IgG anti-Tcra and IgG anti-Tcra<30kDa fractions. A specific monoclonal antibody was also applied for reaching the excretion and secretion antigen of the T. crassiceps (ES-Tcra) larvae culture. Clones selection was performed through Elisa test applying the T-Tso and VL-Tcra antigens. When IgG anti-Tso, IgG anti-Tcra and IgG anti-Tcra<30kDa fractions were applied in the ELISA test, the accuracy obtained was 70%, 82,5% and 95,8% and the specificity of 82,5%, 98% and 100%, respectively, in samples of both NC and C groups. In the samples of the group in different stages of the disease there was no significant difference on reactivity between the samples when the fractions were applied. For the 21 samples of the NC group - active stage of the disease with IgG anti-Tcra fraction and the anti-ES-Tcra monoclonal antibody respectively, 13 and 16 samples were positive for antigen analyses. The CSF samples of the C group did not present reactivity with the antibodies applied in the tests. Tests for 68 CSF samples of \"suspected\" NC group, were also conducted. According to the cytoproteic characteristics besides the reactivity for the anti-T. solium antibody study, the CSF samples of this group showed standard reactivity for antigen detection ranging also in accordance with the presence of antibodies and of the protein and/or cell alterations that the samples would or not present. Fractions of 14 and 18kDa were identified by immunoblot test only in the CSF samples of patients with NC using the IgG anti-Tso IgG anti-Tcra fractions and the anti-ES-Tcra monoclonal antibody. The anti-ES-Tcra monoclonal antibody has shown to be efficient for analyzing antigens by a comparing method of the ELISA test in CSF samples of patients with NC and the ES-Tcra antigen

The use of antigenic preparation of Taenia crassiceps cysticercus detect antibodies in neurocysticercosis (Taenia solium)

O complexo teníase-cisticercose humana representa importante problema sócio-econômico e de Saúde Pública em países em desenvolvimento, incluindo nosso país. A forma mais grave da doença decorre da localização de cisticercos no Sistema Nervoso Central, a neurocisticercose. Devido à dificuldade de obtenção de parasitas a partir de suínos naturalmente infectados estudamos como fonte alternativa, preparações antigênicas de cisticercos de Taenia crassiceps (antígeno heterólogo), para pesquisa de anticorpos anti-cisticercos em líquido cefalorraquiano (LCR) de pacientes com neurocisticercose. Foram estudados os extratos antigênicos de líquido vesicular de cisticercos de Taenia crassiceps (LV-Tcra) e as frações purificadas por Concanavalina A (ConA-Tcra) obtida por coluna de afinidade com lectina e glicoprotéico fracionado (GP-Tcra) obtida a partir do antígeno LV-Tcra em eletroforese preparativa. Os antígenos LV-Tcra, ConA-Tcra e GP-Tcra para a detecção de anticorpos IgG anti-T. solium, foram ensaiados por ELISA em amostras de LCR e por imunoblot em amostras de LCR e soro. Foi utilizado também, kit comercial ELISA com antígeno de T. solium. A sensibilidade e a especificidade obtidas para os antígenos LV-Tcra, ConA-Tcra e GP-Tcra no teste ELISA foram de 100%, com boa reprodutibilidade. Os peptídeos em ordem de freqüência de reatividade para o antígeno LV-Tcra foram: 14-11kD (100%), 62kD (100%), 68kD (100%), 91kD (76%), 25kD (70%), 46KD (64%), 18kD (58%), 43kD (23%), 9-8kD (17%), 56kD (11%) e 32kD (11%). Para o antígeno ConA-Tcra foram identificados os peptídeos, por ordem de freqüência, 14kD (100%), 28kD (66%), 18kD (55%), 46kD (44%), 43kD (22%), 94kD (22%), 103kD (22%). Para o antígeno GP-Tcra, foram identificados somente os peptídeos de 14 - 18kD. Amostras de LCR de pacientes com esquistossomose não apresentaram reatividade com os extratos antigênicos e uma amostra de LCR de paciente com neurossífilis, apresentou forte reatividade eom os peptfdeos de baixo peso molecular≤20kD, para os três antígenos, inclusive no teste ELISA comercial com antígeno de T. solium. Os resultados confirmam que os antígenos de T. crassiceps são importantes fontes alternativas de extratos antigênieos. As frações glicoprotéicas mostraram-se eficientes na detecção de anticorpos anti-T. solium em amostras de LCR e soro de pacientes com neurocisticercose.The human taeniasis-cysticercosis complex represents an important socioeconomic and Public Health problem in developing countries, including Brazil. The most severe form of the disease is due to the localization of cysticerci in the Central Nervous System, i.e. neurocysticercosis. Due to the difficulty in obtaining parasites from naturally infected swine, we studied an alternative source consisting of Taenia crassiceps cysticerci (heterologous antigen) for the search of anti-cysticercus antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with neurocysticercosis. We studied the antigenic extracts of vesicular fluid of Taenia crassiceps cysticerci (VF-Tcra) and the purified fractions Concanavalin A (ConA-Tcra) obtained from an affinity column with lectin and fractionated glycoprotein (GP-Tcra) obtained from the VF-Tcra antigen by preparative electrophoresis. The VF-Tcra, ConA-Tcra and GP-Tcra antigens for the detection of IgG antibodies were assayed by ELISA in CSF samples and by immunoblot in CSF and serum samples. A commercial ELISA kit with T. solium antigen was also used. The sensitivity and specificity obtained for the VF-Tcra, ConA-Tcra and GP-Tcra were 100% in the ELISA test, with good reproducibility. The peptides in order of frequency of reactivity with the VF-Tcra antigen were: 14-11kD (100%), 62kD (100%), 68kD (100%), 91kD (76%), 25kD (70%), 46KD (64%), 18kD (58%), 43kD (23%), 9-8kD (17%), 56kD (11%), and 32kD (11%). The following peptides, in order of frequency were identified for the ConA-Tcra antigen: 14kD (100%), 28kD (66%), 18kD (55%), 46kD (44%), 43kD (22%), 94kD (22%), and 103kD (22%). Only peptides of 14-18kD were identified for the GP-Tcra antigen. CSF samples from patients with schistosomiasis did not show reactivity with the antigenic extracts and a CSF sample from a patient with neurosyphilis presented strong reactivity with low molecular weight (≤20kD) peptides for the three antigens also in the commercial ELISA with the T. solium antigen. The results confirm that T. crassicepsantigens are important alternative sources of antigenic extracts. The glycoprotein fractions proved to be efficient in detecting anti-T solium antibodies in CSF and serum samples trom patients with neurocysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis human antigens research in cerebrospinal fluid samples

A detecção de antígenos em amostras de líquido cefalorraquiano (LCR) de pacientes com neurocisticercose (NC) foi realizada empregando-se o teste ELISA com soros policlonais de coelhos imunizados com os antígenos total de Taenia solium (T-Tso), líquido vesicular de Taenia crassiceps (LV-Tcra) e peptídeos <30kDa de LV-Tcra. Os soros policlonais foram fracionados para a obtenção da fração IgG - IgG anti-Tso, IgG antiTcra e IgG anti-Tcra<30kDa. Também foi empregado o anticorpo monoclonal específico para o antígeno de excreção e secreção de Taenia crassiceps (ES-Tcra). A seleção dos clones foi realizada por ELISA empregando-se os antígenos T-Tso e LV-Tcra. Foram analisados diferentes grupos de amostras divididos em: grupo de pacientes com NC (grupo NC), incluindo pacientes em diferentes fases evolutivas da doença, grupo de pacientes \"suspeito\" de NC (grupo \"suspeito\" NC), grupo controle (grupo C) e grupo de outros patologias (grupo OP). No teste ELISA empregando-se as frações IgG anti-Tso, IgG anti-Tcra e IgG anti-Tcra<30kDa, a sensibilidade obtida foi de 70%, 82,5% e 95,8% e a especificidade de 82,5%, 98% e 100%, respectivamente nas amostras do grupo NC e grupo C. Nas amostras do grupo diferentes fases evolutivas da doença, não houve diferença significativa de reatividade entre as amostras com as frações empregadas. Para as 21 amostras do grupo NC - fase ativa da doença, com a fração IgG anti-Tcra e o anticorpo monoclonal anti-ES-Tcra, respectivamente, 13 e 16 amostras foram positivas para a pesquisa de antígenos. As amostras de LCR do grupo C não apresentaram reatividade com os anticorpos empregados nos ensaios. Também foram ensaiadas 68 amostras de LCR de pacientes com \"suspeita\" de NC. De acordo com as características citoprotéicas além da reatividade para a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-T solium, as amostras de LCR apresentaram, neste grupo, padrão de reatividade para a pesquisa de antígenos que variou também de acordo com a presença de anticorpos, além das alterações de proteína e/ou células, que as amostras apresentavam ou não. Frações de 14 e 18kDa foram identificadas pelo teste imunoblot somente nas amostras de LCR de pacientes com NC utilizando as frações IgG anti-Tso, IgG anti-Tcra e anticorpo monoclonal anti-ES-Tcra. O anticorpo monoclonal anti-ES-Tcra mostrou-se eficiente para a pesquisa de antígenos no teste de competição por ELISA nas amostras de LCR de pacientes com NC e o antígeno ES-Tcra.Antigen detection in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients with neurocysticercosis (NC) was performed through ELISA test using rabbits polyclonal sera immune with total antigens of Taenia solium (T-Tso) cysticercus, vesicular liquid of Taenia crassiceps (VL-Tcra) and vesicular liquid peptides (VLP-Tcra<30kDa) cysticercus. The polyclonal sera were separated obtaining IgG-lgG anti-Tso, IgG anti-Tcra and IgG anti-Tcra<30kDa fractions. A specific monoclonal antibody was also applied for reaching the excretion and secretion antigen of the T. crassiceps (ES-Tcra) larvae culture. Clones selection was performed through Elisa test applying the T-Tso and VL-Tcra antigens. When IgG anti-Tso, IgG anti-Tcra and IgG anti-Tcra<30kDa fractions were applied in the ELISA test, the accuracy obtained was 70%, 82,5% and 95,8% and the specificity of 82,5%, 98% and 100%, respectively, in samples of both NC and C groups. In the samples of the group in different stages of the disease there was no significant difference on reactivity between the samples when the fractions were applied. For the 21 samples of the NC group - active stage of the disease with IgG anti-Tcra fraction and the anti-ES-Tcra monoclonal antibody respectively, 13 and 16 samples were positive for antigen analyses. The CSF samples of the C group did not present reactivity with the antibodies applied in the tests. Tests for 68 CSF samples of \"suspected\" NC group, were also conducted. According to the cytoproteic characteristics besides the reactivity for the anti-T. solium antibody study, the CSF samples of this group showed standard reactivity for antigen detection ranging also in accordance with the presence of antibodies and of the protein and/or cell alterations that the samples would or not present. Fractions of 14 and 18kDa were identified by immunoblot test only in the CSF samples of patients with NC using the IgG anti-Tso IgG anti-Tcra fractions and the anti-ES-Tcra monoclonal antibody. The anti-ES-Tcra monoclonal antibody has shown to be efficient for analyzing antigens by a comparing method of the ELISA test in CSF samples of patients with NC and the ES-Tcra antigen

Use of Taenia crassiceps Cysticercus Antigen Preparations for Detection of Antibodies in Cerebrospinal Fluid Samples from Patients with Neurocysticercosis (Taenia solium)

Antigen extracts obtained from the vesicular fluid of Taenia crassiceps cysticerci and from fractions purified by affinity chromatography with the lectin concanavalin A and the glycoprotein antigen separated by electrophoresis were used for the detection of Taenia solium anticysticercus antibodies. The sensitivity and specificity obtained for all antigens were 100% in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with good reproducibility. Using immunoblotting of the three antigens, low-molecular-mass peptides (18 and 14 kDa) were characterized only in cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with neurocysticercosis. The results confirm that antigen fractions purified from T. crassiceps cisticerci are important sources of specific peptides and proved to be efficient in detecting anti-T. solium antibodies

Neurocysticercosis: relationship between Taenia antigen levels in CSF and MRI Neurocisticercose: relação entre antígeno da Taenia no líquido cefalorraquidiano e ressonância magnética

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between Taenia antigen (TA) detection in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with definite diagnosis of neurocysticercosis (NC). METHOD: Sixty-three patients with definite diagnosis of NC were submitted to a MRI of the brain, and to a CSF examination, with a meticulous search for TA by ELISA. RESULTS: TA detection was positive in 36 patients (57.1%). A total of 836 lesions were analyzed, greatly within the cerebral parenchyma (98.7 of the lesions). Intact or non-degenerating cysts were the most common evolutive phase observed (50.4% of all lesions), 22.1% were degenerating cysts and 19.5% calcified cysts. We observed a significant relationship between TA levels detected and the total number of lesions and the number of non-degenerating cysts, but not with calcified lesions. CONCLUSION: According to our results, we propose at least four important types of contribution: (1) TA detection may allow etiologic diagnosis in transitional phases of NC, with non-characteristic images; (2) in final stages of evolution of cysticercoids in the CNS, lesions may not appear on CT or MRI, and TA detection may contribute to a definite etiologic diagnosis; (3) TA detection may permit diagnosis of NC in some patients with previous negative tests for antibody detection in CSF; (4) TA detection may represent an accurate marker of disease activity in the epileptic form of NC.<br>OBJETIVO: Determinar a relação entre a detecção de antígeno de Taenia (TA) no líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR) e achados de ressonância magnética (RM) em pacientes com diagnóstico definitivo de neurocisticersose. MÉTODO: Sessenta e três pacientes com diagnóstico de NC foram submetidos a exame de RM e exame de LCR com pesquisa de antígeno de Taenia por método imunoenzimático. RESULTADOS: A detecção de TA foi positiva em 36 pacientes (57,1%). Um total de 836 lesões foram analizadas sendo 98,7% intraparemquimatosas, 50,4% dos cistos encontravam-se íntegros, 22,1% degenerados e 19,5% calcificados. Foi observada relação significativa entre a presença dos níveis de TA detectados com o número total dos cistos e também com o número de cistos íntegros. Não foi observada relação com cistos calcificados. CONCLUSÃO: (1) a detecção de TA permite o diagnóstico etiológico em formas transicionais na NC com imagem pouco característica; (2) em estágio evolutivo final de um cisticerco no sistema nervoso, este pode não aparecer na tomografia computadorizada ou RM sendo a presença do antígeno importante para confirmação diagnóstica; (3) a detecção do TA permite também o diagnóstico de NC nos casos em que as reações inumológicas são negativas; (4) a detecção do TA representa um marcador de atividade da doença nas formas epiléticas da NC

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data