Immunodominant Antigens of Leishmania chagasi Associated with Protection against Human Visceral Leishmaniasis

One of the most striking features of infection by Leishmania chagasi is that infection leads to a spectrum of clinical outcomes ranging from asymptomatic infection to active disease. The existence of asymptomatic infected people has served as an incentive to believe that an effective vaccine is possible, but unfortunately no successful immunological characterization of such cases was obtained. Patients recovered from visceral leishmaniasis show a similar immunological profile to asymptomatic infected individuals and both exhibit a strong cell-mediated immune response against Leishmania antigens and are resistant to disease. Since the past decade several approaches were undertaken to try to shed light on the immunological profile associated with such “resistance” to infections, notwithstanding antigenic recognition profile associated to resistance to infection was not successfully explored. In the present manuscript we describe a specific IgG recognizing pattern associated with resistant individuals (asymptomatic infected people and recovery patients to visceral leishmaniasis). These data highlight the possibility of using specific proteins in serological tests for the identification of asymptomatic infected individuals

2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation: executive summary.

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withdrawn 2017 hrs ehra ecas aphrs solaece expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation

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Electrochemical DNA biosensor for the detection of human papillomavirus E6 gene inserted in recombinant plasmid

In the current study, we describe a novel, simple, inexpensive, sensitive, specific, stable and label-free electrochemical DNA biosensor used to identify a target gene cloned into a plasmid. The biosensor was designed with a 23-mer oligonucleotide of guanine-free, which was immobilized on the pencil graphite electrode (PGE) for E6 gene detection from human papillomavirus 16 type (HPV16). The E6 gene was used due to its clinical importance. The optimal probe concentration was obtained in 500 nM. The hybridization detection showed a good linearity in the range of 40–5,000 pg/μL with a detection limit of 16 pg/μL. The electrochemical method showed higher sensitivity and specificity when compared with the agarose gel electrophoresis assay. This technology could be postulated as a new and attractive alternative for cloning analysis in plasmids

Mixture of DTH+ antigens in serological diagnosis of asymptomatic infected individuals.

<p>ELISA results were obtained using 10 µg/mL SLA or DTH+ recombinant antigen mixture (MIX, contained 2.5 µg/mL of each of the following proteins: enolase, MAT2, alpha tubulin and HSP83). Sera from asymptomatic <i>L. chagasi</i> infected patients, Chagas-infected patients were used (1∶100).</p

Summary of 2D Western blot results.

<p>Reproducible spots reacting with each group are indicated. Mapped and non-mapped spots are defined in <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001687#s2" target="_blank">Materials and Methods</a>. Asterisks indicate low recognition.</p

IgG reaction pattern associated to DTH conversion.

<p>Total protein extract from <i>L. chagasi</i> was SDS-PAGE resolved (10% polyacrilamide) and electrotransferred to nitrocellulose filter. In all blots, sera were used at 1∶1000, and secondary anti-human IgG was used at 1∶2000. A) Sera from six VL patients before and after DTH+ conversion. B) Western blot results using sera from active VL and recovered VL patients, asymptomatic infected and non-infected individuals. Molecular weight markers are shown on the left panel.</p

Summary of MALDI ToF/ToF-MS/MS results.

<p><b>Note.</b> References are related to the significance of these antigens with regard to drug resistance, host parasite survival or immunological properties.</p>*<p>Mascot Score, protein overall scores greater than 20 are significant (P<0,05). MW, molecular weight; Ip, isoelectric point.</p