Title
Evaluation from a B-cell epitope-based chimeric protein for the serodiagnosis of tegumentary and visceral leishmaniasis
Date Issued
01 June 2022
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Vale D.L.
Machado A.S.
Ramos F.F.
Lage D.P.
Freitas C.S.
de Oliveira D.
Galvani N.C.
Luiz G.P.
Fagundes M.I.
Fernandes B.B.
Oliveira-da-Silva J.A.
Ludolf F.
Tavares G.S.V.
Guimarães N.S.
Chaves A.T.
Tupinambás U.
Rocha M.O.C.
Gonçalves D.U.
Martins V.T.
Machado-de-Ávila R.A.
Coelho E.A.F.
Publisher(s)
Academic Press
Abstract
The diagnosis of leishmaniasis presents problems due to the variable sensitivity and/or specificity of tests. In addition, high levels of anti-parasite antibodies can remain after treatment, making it difficult to conduct a prognostic follow-up of patients. In this context, it is necessary to identify new candidates to be examined for the sensitive and specific diagnosis of the disease. In the present study, four Leishmania proteins, previously shown as antigenic for tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL), were evaluated, and their linear specific B-cell epitopes were predicted and used to generate a new gene codifying chimeric protein called ChimB, which was cloned, and the recombinant version was expressed, purified, and evaluated in ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) to diagnose TL and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). A total of 220 human serum samples were used, and, when ChimB was used, results showed sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 100% for the diagnosis of both diseases; however, when using peptides, the sensitivity values reached from 28.0% to 57.3% and specificity varied from 16.3% to 83.7%. A soluble Leishmania extract (SLA) showed sensitivity and specificity values of 30.7% and 45.9%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) value for ChimB was 1.0, while for synthetic peptides, this value reached between 0.502 and 0.635, whereas for SLA, the value was of 0.589. Serological assays using sera samples collected before and after treatment showed significant reductions in the anti-ChimB antibody levels after therapy, suggesting a prognostic role of this recombinant antigen. In conclusion, preliminary data suggest the use from ChimB as a potential candidate for the diagnosis and prognosis of leishmaniasis.
Volume
167
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Parasitología Tecnología para la identificación y funcionamiento del ADN, proteínas y enzimas y como influencian la enfermedad) Biología celular, Microbiología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85129754980
PubMed ID
Source
Microbial Pathogenesis
ISSN of the container
08824010
Sponsor(s)
This work was supported by grant APQ-408675/2018-7 from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico and by grant APQ-02167-21 from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais , Brazil. EAFC, DUG, MOCR, and RAMA wish to thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico , Brazil, for their fellowships. The authors also wish to thank the Brazilian funding agencies of Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior and CNPq for their student grants.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus