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Gonçalves AAM, Ribeiro AJ, Resende CAA, Couto CAP, Gandra IB, Dos Santos Barcelos IC, da Silva JO, Machado JM, Silva KA, Silva LS, Dos Santos M, da Silva Lopes L, de Faria MT, Pereira SP, Xavier SR, Aragão MM, Candida-Puma MA, de Oliveira ICM, Souza AA, Nogueira LM, da Paz MC, Coelho EAF, Giunchetti RC, de Freitas SM, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Nagem RAP, Galdino AS. Recombinant multiepitope proteins expressed in Escherichia coli cells and their potential for immunodiagnosis. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:145. [PMID: 38778337 PMCID: PMC11110257 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02418-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Recombinant multiepitope proteins (RMPs) are a promising alternative for application in diagnostic tests and, given their wide application in the most diverse diseases, this review article aims to survey the use of these antigens for diagnosis, as well as discuss the main points surrounding these antigens. RMPs usually consisting of linear, immunodominant, and phylogenetically conserved epitopes, has been applied in the experimental diagnosis of various human and animal diseases, such as leishmaniasis, brucellosis, cysticercosis, Chagas disease, hepatitis, leptospirosis, leprosy, filariasis, schistosomiasis, dengue, and COVID-19. The synthetic genes for these epitopes are joined to code a single RMP, either with spacers or fused, with different biochemical properties. The epitopes' high density within the RMPs contributes to a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. The RMPs can also sidestep the need for multiple peptide synthesis or multiple recombinant proteins, reducing costs and enhancing the standardization conditions for immunoassays. Methods such as bioinformatics and circular dichroism have been widely applied in the development of new RMPs, helping to guide their construction and better understand their structure. Several RMPs have been expressed, mainly using the Escherichia coli expression system, highlighting the importance of these cells in the biotechnological field. In fact, technological advances in this area, offering a wide range of different strains to be used, make these cells the most widely used expression platform. RMPs have been experimentally used to diagnose a broad range of illnesses in the laboratory, suggesting they could also be useful for accurate diagnoses commercially. On this point, the RMP method offers a tempting substitute for the production of promising antigens used to assemble commercial diagnostic kits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Alice Maia Gonçalves
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Anna Julia Ribeiro
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Carlos Ananias Aparecido Resende
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Carolina Alves Petit Couto
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Isadora Braga Gandra
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Isabelle Caroline Dos Santos Barcelos
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Jonatas Oliveira da Silva
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Juliana Martins Machado
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Kamila Alves Silva
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Líria Souza Silva
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Michelli Dos Santos
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Lucas da Silva Lopes
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Mariana Teixeira de Faria
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Paula Pereira
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Sandra Rodrigues Xavier
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Matheus Motta Aragão
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Mayron Antonio Candida-Puma
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa, 04000, Peru
| | | | - Amanda Araujo Souza
- Biophysics Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Lais Moreira Nogueira
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Mariana Campos da Paz
- Bioactives and Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Antônio Ferraz Coelho
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, National Institute of Science and Technology on Tropical Diseases (INCT-DT), Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Sonia Maria de Freitas
- Biophysics Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Miguel Angel Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa, 04000, Peru
| | - Ronaldo Alves Pinto Nagem
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology on Industrial Biotechnology (INCT-BI), Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Midwest Campus, Divinópolis, 35501-296, Brazil.
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Hänsel L, Schumacher J, Denis B, Hamane S, Cornely OA, Koehler P. How to diagnose and treat a non-HIV patient with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP)? Clin Microbiol Infect 2023:S1198-743X(23)00186-6. [PMID: 37086781 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PCP) incidence is increasing in non-HIV infected patients. In contrast to PCP in patients infected with HIV, diagnosis is often delayed, and illness is associated with an increased mortality. OBJECTIVE To provide a comprehensive review of clinical presentation, risk factors, diagnostic strategies, and treatment options of PCP in non-HIV-infected patients. SOURCES Web-based literature review on PCP for trials, meta-analyses and systematic reviews using PubMed. Restriction to English language was applied. CONTENT Common underlying conditions in non-HIV-infected patients with PCP are haematological malignancies, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplant and prior exposure to corticosteroids. New risk groups include patients receiving monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulating therapies. Non-HIV-infected patients with PCP present with rapid onset and progression of pneumonia, increased duration of hospitalization and a significantly higher mortality rate than patients infected with HIV. PCP is diagnosed by a combination of clinical symptoms, radiological and mycological features. Immunofluorescence microscopy from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or PCR testing CT imaging and evaluation of the clinical presentation are required. The established treatment regime consists of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. IMPLICATIONS While the number of patients immunosuppressed for other causes than HIV is increasing, a simultaneous rise in PCP incidence is observed. In the group of non-HIV-infected patients, a rapid onset of symptoms, a more complex course, and a higher mortality rate are recorded. Therefore, time to diagnosis must be as short as possible to initiate effective therapy promptly. This review aims to raise awareness of PCP in an increasingly affected at-risk group and provide clinicians with a practical guide for efficient diagnosis and targeted therapy. Furthermore, it intends to display current inadequacies in research on the topic of PCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luise Hänsel
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jana Schumacher
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany
| | - Blandine Denis
- Department of infectious diseases, Saint Louis and Lariboisière Hospitals, APHP, Paris, France, Excellence Centre for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Paris, France
| | - Samia Hamane
- Department of infectious diseases, Saint Louis and Lariboisière Hospitals, APHP, Paris, France, Excellence Centre for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Paris, France
| | - Oliver A Cornely
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Clinical Trials Centre Cologne (ZKS Köln), Cologne, Germany
| | - Philipp Koehler
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany.
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Zhou J, Chen J, Peng Y, Xie Y, Xiao Y. A Promising Tool in Serological Diagnosis: Current Research Progress of Antigenic Epitopes in Infectious Diseases. Pathogens 2022; 11:1095. [PMID: 36297152 PMCID: PMC9609281 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases, caused by various pathogens in the clinic, threaten the safety of human life, are harmful to physical and mental health, and also increase economic burdens on society. Infections are a complex mechanism of interaction between pathogenic microorganisms and their host. Identification of the causative agent of the infection is vital for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Etiological laboratory diagnostic tests are therefore essential to identify pathogens. However, due to its rapidity and automation, the serological diagnostic test is among the methods of great significance for the diagnosis of infections with the basis of detecting antigens or antibodies in body fluids clinically. Epitopes, as a special chemical group that determines the specificity of antigens and the basic unit of inducing immune responses, play an important role in the study of immune responses. Identifying the epitopes of a pathogen may contribute to the development of a vaccine to prevent disease, the diagnosis of the corresponding disease, and the determination of different stages of the disease. Moreover, both the preparation of neutralizing antibodies based on useful epitopes and the assembly of several associated epitopes can be used in the treatment of disease. Epitopes can be divided into B cell epitopes and T cell epitopes; B cell epitopes stimulate the body to produce antibodies and are therefore commonly used as targets for the design of serological diagnostic experiments. Meanwhile, epitopes can fall into two possible categories: linear and conformational. This article reviews the role of B cell epitopes in the clinical diagnosis of infectious diseases.
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Matos O, Xiao L. Editorial: Recent Advances in the Controversial Human Pathogens Pneumocystis, Microsporidia and Blastocystis. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:701879. [PMID: 34408732 PMCID: PMC8366287 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.701879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Matos
- Medical Parasitology Unit, Group of Opportunistic Protozoa/HIV and Other Protozoa, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
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Pla L, Aviñó A, Eritja R, Ruiz-Gaitán A, Pemán J, Friaza V, Calderón EJ, Aznar E, Martínez-Máñez R, Santiago-Felipe S. Triplex Hybridization-Based Nanosystem for the Rapid Screening of Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Clinical Samples. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E292. [PMID: 33213011 PMCID: PMC7712664 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) is a disease produced by the opportunistic infection of the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. As delayed or unsuitable treatments increase the risk of mortality, the development of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools for PcP are of great importance. Unfortunately, current standard methods present severe limitations and are far from adequate. In this work, a time-competitive, sensitive and selective biosensor based on DNA-gated nanomaterials for the identification of P. jirovecii is presented. The biosensor consists of a nanoporous anodic alumina (NAA) scaffold which pores are filled with a dye reporter and capped with specific DNA oligonucleotides. In the presence of P. jirovecii genomic DNA, the gated biosensor is open, and the cargo is delivered to the solution where it is monitored through fluorescence spectroscopy. The use of capping oligonucleotides able to form duplex or triplex with P. jirovecii DNA is studied. The final diagnostic tool shows a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 nM of target complementary DNA and does not require previous amplification steps. The method was applied to identify DNA from P. jirovecii in unmodified bronchoalveolar lavage, nasopharyngeal aspirates, and sputum samples in 60 min. This is a promising alternative method for the routinely diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Pla
- Instituto Interuniversitario de Investigación de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Universitat Politècnica de València, Universitat de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (L.P.); (S.S.-F.)
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Nanomedicina y Sensores, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; (A.A.); (R.E.)
| | - Anna Aviñó
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; (A.A.); (R.E.)
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramón Eritja
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; (A.A.); (R.E.)
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Ruiz-Gaitán
- Grupo Acreditado de Infección Grave, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe and Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (A.R.-G.); (J.P.)
| | - Javier Pemán
- Grupo Acreditado de Infección Grave, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe and Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (A.R.-G.); (J.P.)
| | - Vicente Friaza
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (V.F.); (E.J.C.)
| | - Enrique J. Calderón
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (V.F.); (E.J.C.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Elena Aznar
- Instituto Interuniversitario de Investigación de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Universitat Politècnica de València, Universitat de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (L.P.); (S.S.-F.)
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Nanomedicina y Sensores, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; (A.A.); (R.E.)
- Unidad Mixta UPV-CIPF de Investigación en Mecanismos de Enfermedades y Nanomedicina, Universitat Politècnica de València, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ramón Martínez-Máñez
- Instituto Interuniversitario de Investigación de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Universitat Politècnica de València, Universitat de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (L.P.); (S.S.-F.)
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Nanomedicina y Sensores, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; (A.A.); (R.E.)
- Unidad Mixta UPV-CIPF de Investigación en Mecanismos de Enfermedades y Nanomedicina, Universitat Politècnica de València, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Sara Santiago-Felipe
- Instituto Interuniversitario de Investigación de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Universitat Politècnica de València, Universitat de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (L.P.); (S.S.-F.)
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Nanomedicina y Sensores, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; (A.A.); (R.E.)
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Bateman M, Oladele R, Kolls JK. Diagnosing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia: A review of current methods and novel approaches. Med Mycol 2020; 58:1015-1028. [PMID: 32400869 PMCID: PMC7657095 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii can cause life-threatening pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. Traditional diagnostic testing has relied on staining and direct visualization of the life-forms in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. This method has proven insensitive, and invasive procedures may be needed to obtain adequate samples. Molecular methods of detection such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and antibody-antigen assays have been developed in an effort to solve these problems. These techniques are very sensitive and have the potential to detect Pneumocystis life-forms in noninvasive samples such as sputum, oral washes, nasopharyngeal aspirates, and serum. This review evaluates 100 studies that compare use of various diagnostic tests for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) in patient samples. Novel diagnostic methods have been widely used in the research setting but have faced barriers to clinical implementation including: interpretation of low fungal burdens, standardization of techniques, integration into resource-poor settings, poor understanding of the impact of host factors, geographic variations in the organism, heterogeneity of studies, and limited clinician recognition of PCP. Addressing these barriers will require identification of phenotypes that progress to PCP and diagnostic cut-offs for colonization, generation of life-form specific markers, comparison of commercial PCR assays, investigation of cost-effective point of care options, evaluation of host factors such as HIV status that may impact diagnosis, and identification of markers of genetic diversity that may be useful in diagnostic panels. Performing high-quality studies and educating physicians will be crucial to improve the rates of diagnosis of PCP and ultimately to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie Bateman
- Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70122, USA
| | - Rita Oladele
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Jay K Kolls
- Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70122, USA
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7
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Detection of anti-Pneumocystis jirovecii antibodies in human serum using a recombinant synthetic multi-epitope kexin-based antigen. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 39:2205-2209. [PMID: 32557324 PMCID: PMC7561569 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-03936-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Interest in the detection of specific anti-Pneumocystis jirovecii antibodies has emerged as less-invasive alternative diagnostic approaches. Here is presented the performance of an ELISA based on a recombinant synthetic multi-epitope kexin 1 (Kex1) antigen of P. jirovecii, previously developed. Results showed that IgM anti-Kex1 levels were found significantly increased in patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) compared with non-PcP cases (p < 0.001), allowing a diagnostic performance of PcP with a 70.8% sensitivity and a 75.0% specificity. These results suggest that this Kex1-based ELISA is a promising tool toward the serodiagnosis of PcP when the standard methods are difficult to perform.
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8
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Tomás AL, de Almeida MP, Cardoso F, Pinto M, Pereira E, Franco R, Matos O. Development of a Gold Nanoparticle-Based Lateral-Flow Immunoassay for Pneumocystis Pneumonia Serological Diagnosis at Point-of-Care. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2917. [PMID: 31921081 PMCID: PMC6931265 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) is a major human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related illness, rising among immunocompromised non-HIV patients and in developing countries. Presently, the diagnosis requires respiratory specimens obtained through invasive and costly techniques that are difficult to perform in all patients or implement in all economic settings. Therefore, the development of a faster, cost-effective, non-invasive and field-friendly test to diagnose PcP would be a significant advance. In this study, recombinant synthetic antigens (RSA) of P. jirovecii's major surface glycoprotein (Msg) and kexin-like serine protease (Kex1) were produced and purified. These RSA were applied as antigenic tools in immunoenzymatic assays for detection of specific anti-P. jirovecii antibodies (IgG and IgM) in sera of patients with (n = 48) and without (n = 28) PcP. Results showed that only IgM anti-P. jirovecii levels were significantly increased in patients with PcP compared with patients without P. jirovecii infection (p ≤ 0.001 with both RSA). Thus, two strip lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA), based on the detection of specific IgM anti-P. jirovecii antibodies in human sera samples, were developed using the innovative association of P. jirovecii's RSA with spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). For that, alkanethiol-functionalized spherical AuNPs with ca. ~40 nm in diameter were synthetized and conjugated with the two RSA (Msg or Kex1) produced. These AuNP-RSA conjugates were characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and optimized to improve their ability to interact specifically with serum IgM anti-P. jirovecii antibodies. Finally, two LFIA prototypes were developed and tested with pools of sera from patients with (positive sample) and without (negative sample) PcP. Both LFIA had the expected performance, namely, the presence of a test and control red colored lines with the positive sample, and only a control red colored line with the negative sample. These results provide valuable insights into the possibility of PcP serodiagnosis at point-of-care. The optimization, validation and implementation of this strip-based approach may help to reduce the high cost of medical diagnosis and subsequent treatment of PcP both in industrialized and low-income regions, helping to manage the disease all around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luísa Tomás
- Medical Parasitology Unit, Group of Opportunistic Protozoa/HIV and Other Protozoa, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Miguel P de Almeida
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando Cardoso
- Medical Parasitology Unit, Group of Opportunistic Protozoa/HIV and Other Protozoa, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mafalda Pinto
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Eulália Pereira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Franco
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Olga Matos
- Medical Parasitology Unit, Group of Opportunistic Protozoa/HIV and Other Protozoa, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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9
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Weissenbacher-Lang C, Nedorost N, Knecht C, Hennig-Pauka I, Huber M, Voglmayr T, Weissenböck H. Comparison of Pneumocystis nucleic acid and antibody profiles and their associations with other respiratory pathogens in two Austrian pig herds. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185387. [PMID: 28945819 PMCID: PMC5612756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. suis (PCS) nucleic acid and antibody profiles on two Austrian-farrow-to-finish farms were investigated. Furthermore, associations with other respiratory pathogens were evaluated. Respiratory specimen and sera from pigs of five age classes between the 1st week and the 3rd month of life as well as samples from sows were analyzed. On Farm A, PCS infection occurred early in life. The suckling piglets were already infected in the 1st week of life and the pigs remained positive until the 3rd month of life. On Farm B, pigs were infected later, between 3 and 4 months of age. The maximum PCS nucleic acid load on Farm A was 8.3 log10 genome copies/mL BALF, whereas on Farm B the PCS burden was significantly lower, with 4.0 log10 genome copies/mL BALF. Anti-PCS antibodies were detected in sows, as maternal antibodies in suckling piglets and as an immunological reaction to infection. On both farms, PCS infection was accompanied by several co-infections. On Farm A, there were concurrent infections with PRRSV, a virulent strain of Haemophilus parasuis, and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. On Farm B, PCS was accompanied by infections with swine influenza virus, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, and a non-virulent strain of Haemophilus parasuis. The results clearly show that the PCS profiles can vary between farms. Younger pigs may be more susceptible as they had higher PCS burdens. It is possible that PCS may contribute to a respiratory disease in pigs and further investigation of its potential role is warranted.
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MESH Headings
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Antibodies, Fungal/analysis
- Antibodies, Fungal/blood
- Austria
- Coinfection/immunology
- Coinfection/microbiology
- Coinfection/veterinary
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- DNA, Bacterial/analysis
- DNA, Bacterial/blood
- DNA, Bacterial/genetics
- DNA, Fungal/analysis
- DNA, Fungal/blood
- DNA, Fungal/genetics
- DNA, Viral/analysis
- DNA, Viral/blood
- DNA, Viral/genetics
- Female
- Haemophilus Infections/immunology
- Haemophilus Infections/microbiology
- Haemophilus Infections/veterinary
- Haemophilus parasuis/genetics
- Haemophilus parasuis/isolation & purification
- Male
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/immunology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/microbiology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/veterinary
- Pneumocystis carinii/genetics
- Pneumocystis carinii/immunology
- Pneumocystis carinii/pathogenicity
- Pneumonia of Swine, Mycoplasmal/immunology
- Pneumonia of Swine, Mycoplasmal/microbiology
- Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/immunology
- Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/microbiology
- Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/veterinary
- Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome/immunology
- Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome/microbiology
- Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome/virology
- Sus scrofa
- Swine
- Swine Diseases/immunology
- Swine Diseases/microbiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Weissenbacher-Lang
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nora Nedorost
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Knecht
- University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isabel Hennig-Pauka
- University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Herbert Weissenböck
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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10
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Blount RJ, Daly KR, Fong S, Chang E, Grieco K, Greene M, Stone S, Balmes J, Miller RF, Walzer PD, Huang L. Effects of clinical and environmental factors on bronchoalveolar antibody responses to Pneumocystis jirovecii: A prospective cohort study of HIV+ patients. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180212. [PMID: 28692651 PMCID: PMC5503245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humoral immunity plays an important role against Pneumocystis jirovecii infection, yet clinical and environmental factors that impact bronchoalveolar antibody responses to P. jirovecii remain uncertain. METHODS From October 2008-December 2011 we enrolled consecutive HIV-infected adults admitted to San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) who underwent bronchoscopy for suspected Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). We used local air quality monitoring data to assign ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particulate matter exposures within 14 days prior to hospital admission. We quantified serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) antibody responses to P. jirovecii major surface glycoprotein (Msg) recombinant constructs using ELISA. We then fit linear regression models to determine whether PCP and ambient air pollutants were associated with bronchoalveolar antibody responses to Msg. RESULTS Of 81 HIV-infected patients enrolled, 47 (58%) were diagnosed with current PCP and 9 (11%) had a prior history of PCP. The median CD4+ count was 51 cells/μl (IQR 15-129) and 44% were current smokers. Serum antibody responses to Msg were statistically significantly predictive of BALF antibody responses, with the exception of IgG responses to MsgC8 and MsgC9. Prior PCP was associated with increased BALF IgA responses to Msg and current PCP was associated with decreased IgA responses. For instance, among patients without current PCP, those with prior PCP had a median 73.2 U (IQR 19.2-169) IgA response to MsgC1 compared to a 5.00 U (3.52-12.6) response among those without prior PCP. Additionally, current PCP predicted a 22.5 U (95%CI -39.2, -5.82) lower IgA response to MsgC1. Ambient ozone within the two weeks prior to hospital admission was associated with decreased BALF IgA responses to Msg while nitrogen dioxide was associated with increased IgA responses. CONCLUSIONS PCP and ambient air pollutants were associated with BALF IgA responses to P. jirovecii in HIV-infected patients evaluated for suspected PCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Blount
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Kieran R. Daly
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Serena Fong
- HIV/AIDS Division, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Emily Chang
- HIV/AIDS Division, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Katherine Grieco
- HIV/AIDS Division, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Meredith Greene
- HIV/AIDS Division, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Stephen Stone
- HIV/AIDS Division, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - John Balmes
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Robert F. Miller
- Research Department of Infection and Population Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter D. Walzer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Laurence Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- HIV/AIDS Division, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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