Immunization procedure-related immunoglobulin levels in the development of antibodies against Cysticercus cellulosae

Various immunization procedures were investigated in an effort to improve the number of hybridomas producing antibodies against Cysticercus cellulosae. Ten groups of 5 BALB/c mice were subjected to different immunization procedures and were bled repeatedly over a period of 68 days. The samples of sera thus obtained were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay : total immunoglobulins, lgG and IgM levels were determined. In general, total anticyst antibody titres increased during the course of immunization but in 3 groups the final titre was lower than the maximal antibody titre. Overall, immune tolerance did not appear to be a problem and longer immunization programs seemed to end with slightly higher antibody levels. So far, 4 mice from the group that exhibited the highest immunoglobulin levels have been used for hybridoma production. Out of 124 hybridomas thus obtained, only 1 secreted antibodies against Cysticercus cellulosae.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.lmchunu2014mn201

Neuroschistosomiasis due to Schistosoma mansoni: a review of pathogenesis, clinical syndromes and diagnostic approaches Neuroesquistossomose devido a Schistosoma mansoni: revisão da patogênese, síndromes clínicas e manejo diagnóstico

Neuroschistosomiasis (NS) is the second most common form of presentation of infection by the trematode, Schistosoma mansoni. Granulomatous inflammatory reaction occurs as a result of schistosome eggs being transmitted to spinal cord or brain via the vascular system, or by inadvertent adult worm migration to these organs. The two main clinical syndromes are spinal cord neuroschistosomiasis (acute or subacute myelopathy) and localized cerebral or cerebellar neuroschistosomiasis (focal CNS impairment, seizures, increased intracranial pressure). Presumptive diagnosis of NS requires confirming the presence of S. mansoni infection by stool microscopy or rectal biopsy for trematode eggs, and serologic testing of blood and spinal fluid. The localized lesions are identified by signs and symptoms, and confirmed by imaging techniques (contrast myelography, CT and MRI). Algorithms are presented to allow a stepwise approach to diagnosis.<br>Neuroesquistossomose (NS) é a segunda forma mais freqüente de apresentação da infecção causada pelo trematódeo Schistosoma mansoni. A inflamação do tipo granulomatosa ocorre como resultado da presença de ovos do S. mansoni que atingiram a medula espinhal ou o encéfalo via o sistema vascular ou pela migração inadvertida de vermes adultos para estes órgãos. Duas síndromes clínicas principais podem ser identificadas: a mielopatia esquistossomótica (aguda ou subaguda) e a neuroesquistossomose cerebral ou cerebelar localizada (comprometimento focal do Sistema Nervoso Central, convulsões, hipertensão intracraniana). O diagnóstico presumido da NS requer a confirmação da presença da infecção por exame microscópico de fezes ou pela biópsia retal em busca de ovos de trematódeo e testes sorológicos no sangue e no líquor. As lesões localizadas são identificadas por sinais e sintomas, e confirmadas por exames de imagem (mielografia contrastada, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética). Algoritmos são apresentados para orientar uma avaliação diagnóstica seqüencial