1
|
Marlais T, Bickford-Smith J, Talavera-López C, Le H, Chowdhury F, Miles MA. A comparative 'omics' approach for prediction of candidate Strongyloides stercoralis diagnostic coproantigens. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0010777. [PMID: 37068106 PMCID: PMC10138266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human infection with the intestinal nematode Strongyloides stercoralis is persistent unless effectively treated, and potentially fatal in immunosuppressed individuals. Epidemiological data are lacking, partially due to inadequate diagnosis. A rapid antigen detection test is a priority for population surveillance, validating cure after treatment, and for screening prior to immunosuppression. We used a targeted analysis of open access 'omics' data sets and used online predictors to identify S. stercoralis proteins that are predicted to be present in infected stool, Strongyloides-specific, and antigenic. Transcriptomic data from gut and non-gut dwelling life cycle stages of S. stercoralis revealed 328 proteins that are differentially expressed. Strongyloides ratti proteomic data for excreted and secreted (E/S) proteins were matched to S. stercoralis, giving 1,057 orthologues. Five parasitism-associated protein families (SCP/TAPS, prolyl oligopeptidase, transthyretin-like, aspartic peptidase, acetylcholinesterase) were compared phylogenetically between S. stercoralis and outgroups, and proteins with least homology to the outgroups were selected. Proteins that overlapped between the transcriptomic and proteomic datasets were analysed by multiple sequence alignment, epitope prediction and 3D structure modelling to reveal S. stercoralis candidate peptide/protein coproantigens. We describe 22 candidates from seven genes, across all five protein families for further investigation as potential S. stercoralis diagnostic coproantigens, identified using open access data and freely-available protein analysis tools. This powerful approach can be applied to many parasitic infections with 'omic' data to accelerate development of specific diagnostic assays for laboratory or point-of-care field application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tegwen Marlais
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Bickford-Smith
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Talavera-López
- Institute of Computational Biology, Computational Health Centre, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Hai Le
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fatima Chowdhury
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael A Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hoermann J, Kuenzli E, Schaefer C, Paris DH, Bühler S, Odermatt P, Sayasone S, Neumayr A, Nickel B. Performance of a rapid immuno-chromatographic test (Schistosoma ICT IgG-IgM) for detecting Schistosoma-specific antibodies in sera of endemic and non-endemic populations. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010463. [PMID: 35622871 PMCID: PMC9212132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Schistosomiasis, an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by human pathogenic Schistosoma species, is a neglected tropical disease affecting more than 220 million people worldwide.
For diagnosis of schistosomiasis, stool and urine microscopy for egg detection is still the recommended method, however sensitivity of these methods is limited. Therefore, other methods like molecular detection of DNA in stool, detection of circulating cathodic antigen in urine or circulating anodic antigen in urine and serum, as well as serological tests have gained more attention. This study examines the sensitivity and specificity of a rapid diagnostic test based on immunochromatography (Schistosoma ICT IgG-IgM, LD Bio, Lyon, France) for simultaneous detection of specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum, against Schistosoma spp. in endemic and non-endemic populations.
Methodology/Principal findings
Frozen banked serum samples from patients with confirmed schistosomiasis, patients with other helminth infections, patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and healthy blood donors were used to assess the sensitivity and the specificity of the Schistosoma ICT IgG-IgM rapid diagnostic test.
The test showed a sensitivity of 100% in patients with parasitologically confirmed schistosomiasis, irrespective of the species (S. mansoni, S. haematobium, S. japonicum, S. mekongi). In healthy blood donors and patients with rheumatoid factor positive rheumatoid arthritis from Europe, specificity was 100%. However, in serum samples of patients with other tissue invasive helminth infections, the test showed some cross-reactivity, resulting in a specificity of 85%.
Conclusion/Significance
With its high sensitivity, the Schistosoma ICT IgG-IgM rapid diagnostic test is a suitable screening test for detection of Schistosoma specific antibodies, including S. mekongi. However, in populations with a high prevalence of co-infection with other tissue invasive helminths, positive results should be confirmed with other diagnostic assays due to the test’s imperfect specificity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Hoermann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Esther Kuenzli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Schaefer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel H. Paris
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Silja Bühler
- Division of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases, Institute for Hygiene and Environment, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Odermatt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Somphou Sayasone
- Department of International Program for Health in the Tropics, Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Andreas Neumayr
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Beatrice Nickel
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Couto BPD, Corrêa LQ, de Sousa JEN, Goulart de Carvalho EF, Gonzaga HT, Costa-Cruz JM. Parasitological and immunological aspects of oral and subcutaneous prednisolone treatment in rats experimentally infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis. Acta Trop 2020; 204:105349. [PMID: 31958413 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Strongyloides venezuelensis is a model to study human strongyloidiasis, which infects wild rodents and shares common antigenic epitopes with Strongyloides stercoralis. This study aimed to evaluate parasitological and immunological parameters of prednisolone immunosuppression protocols in rats (Rattus novergicus) infected with S. venezuelensis. Rats were divided into six groups (n = 36): untreated and uninfected (-) or infected (+); oral treatment and uninfected (o-) or infected (o+); subcutaneous treatment and uninfected (sc-) or infected (sc+). For oral immunosuppression, 5 mg/mL of water diluted prednisolone were given five days before infection, and in the days 8 and 21 (for 5 days). For subcutaneous immunosuppression, 10 mg/kg of prednisolone were given daily. The infection was established by the subcutaneous injection of approximately 3,000 S. venezuelensis filarioid larvae per animal. All animals from the (+) and (o+) groups survived, while four rats from the (sc+) died prior to necropsy date. Parasitological analysis showed higher egg elimination in (o+) in comparison to (+) and (sc+) on 7, 13 and 26 days post infection (d.p.i.).The recovery of parasitic females at day 30 was significantly higher in (o+), compared to (+). The (+) and (o+) groups showed a clear increase in anti-S. venezuelensis IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 from 13th d.p.i. Oral immunosuppression led to a higher number of adult females and increased egg output while maintaining IgG and subclasses antibody levels comparable to the positive control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Patricia do Couto
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Amazonas s/n, bloco 4C, 38400-902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Luísa Queiroz Corrêa
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Amazonas s/n, bloco 4C, 38400-902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - José Eduardo Neto de Sousa
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Amazonas s/n, bloco 4C, 38400-902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Edson Fernando Goulart de Carvalho
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Amazonas s/n, bloco 4C, 38400-902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Henrique Tomaz Gonzaga
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Amazonas s/n, bloco 4C, 38400-902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Julia Maria Costa-Cruz
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Amazonas s/n, bloco 4C, 38400-902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fonseca PDM, Corral MA, Meisel DMCL, Levi D, Nascimento RC, Castro-Borges W, Gryschek R, Costa-Cruz JM, Paula FMD. Immunoreactivity of proteins within 30-40 kDa range during the acute and the recovery phases in rats experimentally infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2020; 62:e23. [PMID: 32401955 PMCID: PMC7232957 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202062023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In experimental infection with Strongyloides venezuelensis, the acute and recovery phases can be distinguished, unlike human infections caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production of anti-Strongyloides IgG antibodies and the recognition of immunogenic protein bands during the acute and the recovery phases in rats experimentally infected with S. venezuelensis. Rats were infected subcutaneously with 400 or 4,000 S. venezuelensis infective larvae. The acute phase was characterized by elimination of a large number of eggs in the faeces on days 6-14 post infection; the recovery phase was characterized by the resolution of the infection between days 30 and 35 post infection. Differences in IgG levels were observed in the acute and the recovery phases. Different antigenic fractions were recognized in both phases of infection. It is concluded that proteins within the 30-40 kDa range are immunoreactive markers for both the acute and the recovery phases in rats experimentally infected with S. venezuelensis, particularly using membrane antigen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ronaldo Gryschek
- Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil; Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dos Anjos-Ramos L, Gama LA, Hauschildt AT, Fujiwara RT, Corá LA, Américo MF. Electroacupuncture in rats infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis: effects on gastrointestinal transit and parasitological measurements. Acupunct Med 2017; 36:44-51. [PMID: 29102965 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 and CV12 on gastrointestinal transit and parasitological measurements during Strongyloides venezuelensis infection in rats. DESIGN Rats were infected with S. venezuelensis and allocated to one of three groups that were infected and remained untreated (SV group, n=8), infected and treated with EA at CV12 (SV+CV12 group, n=8) or infected and treated with EA at ST36 (SV+ST36 group, n=8). EA was performed every 3 days over a 21-day period, at 4 mA intensity and 15 Hz frequency for 20 min. At 2 and 20 days post-infection (dpi), body weight, food and water intake, and faecal characteristics were monitored over a 24-hour period. Gastric emptying, caecal arrival time, small intestinal transit and eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces were calculated at 3, 9, 15 and 21 dpi. At 21 dpi, intestinal worm recovery was counted. RESULTS EA at ST36 and CV12 slowed gastric emptying over the course of infection time. An accelerated intestinal transit was observed in the ST36 group, and after CV12 treatment the same effect was observed at 9 and 15 dpi. At 9 dpi, EPG was increased in the CV12 group. ST36 treatment decreased EPG at 9 and 15 dpi. At 21 dpi, both the ST36 and CV12 groups had increased EPG and worm numbers. No changes were observed in the other parameters analysed. CONCLUSIONS EA at ST36 and CV12 provoked changes in gastrointestinal transit that may be beneficial to the host during S. venezuelensis infection; however, based on the number of worms and EPG at 21 dpi, the indication for EA in the treatment of strongyloidiasis needs to be carefully assessed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luana Dos Anjos-Ramos
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, UFMT-Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Loyane Almeida Gama
- Instituto de Biociências, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrieli Taise Hauschildt
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, UFMT-Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas UFMG-Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luciana Aparecida Corá
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, UNCISAL-Universidade Estadual de Ciências da Saúde de Alagoas, Maceió Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Madileine Francely Américo
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, UFMT-Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|