Dados do Trabalho

Título

Serodiagnosis of canine leishmaniasis using a novel recombinant chimeric protein constructed with distinct B-cell epitopes from antigenic Leishmania infantum proteins

Introdução

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an important public health problem worldwide, and control measures are insufficient to prevent the spread of this neglected disease. Dogs are important domestic reservoirs of Leishmania parasites in countries where VL is a zoonosis, representing an important source of infection among phlebotomine vectors and humans. In this context, an accurate diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) could help reduce the number of human cases. Different approaches for CanL diagnosis have used recombinant proteins in serological assays. However, variable results of antigens have been found, especially in the diagnosis of asymptomatic cases.

Objetivo (s)

The present study used bioinformatics to select specific B-cell epitopes of four Leishmania infantum proteins, which had already been proven to be antigenic in VL, in order to produce a new chimeric protein and evaluate it for CanL diagnosis.

Material e Métodos

Seven B-cell epitopes were identified and used to construct the chimera, which was analyzed in a recombinant format through an ELISA assay against a canine serological panel, as well as using the soluble Leishmania antigenic extract (SLA) as an antigen control.

Resultados e Conclusão

The results showed 100% sensitivity and specificity for the chimera, whereas when using SLA, the values were 26.0% and 96.4%, respectively. The performance of the chimera was also compared to a commercial kit (EIE-Biomanguinhos) using sera from asymptomatic and symptomatic dogs, and the data showed that no false-negative results were found when testing the recombinant protein. However, when using the commercial kit, 40.0% and 16.0% false-negative results were found, respectively. In conclusion, the recombinant chimera showed antigenic potential to be evaluated in further studies against a larger serological panel for CanL diagnosis.

Palavras-chave

Canine visceral leishmaniasis; Recombinant chimera; Serodiagnosis.

Agradecimentos

CNPq, FAPEMIG and CAPES