Improved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using C-terminal truncated recombinant antigens of Babesia bovis rhoptry-associated protein-1 for detection of specific antibodies

Babesia microti Immunoreactive Rhoptry-Associated Protein-1 Paralogs Are Ancestral Members of the Piroplasmid-Confined RAP-1 Family

Babesia, Cytauxzoon and Theileria are tick-borne apicomplexan parasites of the order Piroplasmida, responsible for diseases in humans and animals. Members of the piroplasmid rhoptry-associated protein-1 (pRAP-1) family have a signature cysteine-rich domain and are important for parasite development. We propose that the closely linked B. microti genes annotated as BMR1_03g00947 and BMR1_03g00960 encode two paralogue pRAP-1-like proteins named BmIPA48 and Bm960. The two genes are tandemly arranged head to tail, highly expressed in blood stage parasites, syntenic to rap-1 genes of other piroplasmids, and share large portions of an almost identical ~225 bp sequence located in their 5' putative regulatory regions. BmIPA48 and Bm960 proteins contain a N-terminal signal peptide, share very low sequence identity (<13%) with pRAP-1 from other species, and harbor one or more transmembrane domains. Diversification of the piroplasmid-confined prap-1 family is characterized by amplification of genes, protein domains, and a high sequence polymorphism. This suggests a functional involvement of pRAP-1 at the parasite-host interface, possibly in parasite adhesion, attachment, and/or evasion of the host immune defenses. Both BmIPA48 and Bm960 are recognized by antibodies in sera from humans infected with B. microti and might be promising candidates for developing novel serodiagnosis and vaccines.

Diagnostic Tools for the Identification of Babesia sp. in Persistently Infected Cattle

Bovine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease of cattle caused by the protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina and Babesia divergens are considered by International health authorities (OIE) as the principal species of Babesia that cause bovine babesiosis. Animals that recover from a babesial primo infection may remain as persistent carriers with no clinical signs of disease and can be the source of infection for ticks that are able to acquire Babesia parasites from infected cattle and to transmit Babesia parasites to susceptible cattle. Several procedures that have been developed for parasite detection and diagnosis of this infectious carrier state constitute the basis for this review: A brief description of the direct microscopic detection of Babesia-infected erytrocytes; PCR-based diagnostic assays, which are very sensitive particularly in detecting Babesia in carrier cattle; in-vitro culture methods, used to demonstrate presence of carrier infections of Babesia sp.; animal inoculation, particularly for B. divergens isolation are discussed. Alternatively, persistently infected animals can be tested for specific antibabesial antibodies by using indirect serological assays. Serological procedures are not necessarily consistent in identifying persistently infected animals and have the disadvantage of presenting with cross reactions between antibodies to Babesia sp.

Serological and molecular surveys of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina among native cattle and cattle imported from Thailand in Hue, Vietnam

Serum and DNA from blood samples collected from Vietnamese yellow cattle (n=101) and cattle imported from Thailand (n=54) at a Vietnamese slaughter house were screened for Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina infections by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and PCR. The positive rates determined by ELISA (B. bovis and B. bigemina) or PCR (B. bigemina) in the Vietnamese cattle were significantly higher than those found in Thai cattle. Some PCR-positive Vietnamese animals were ELISA-negative, whereas all PCR-positive Thai cattle were ELISA-positive, suggesting that the animals were infected in Thailand. Importing Babesia-infected cattle may lead to the introduction of new parasite strains, possibly compromising the development of anti-Babesia immune control strategies in Vietnam.

A novel modified-indirect ELISA based on spherical body protein 4 for detecting antibody during acute and long-term infections with diverse Babesia bovis strains

Background

Cattle persistently infected with Babesia bovis are reservoirs for intra- and inter-herd transmission. Since B. bovis is considered a persistent infection, developing a reliable, high-throughput assay that detects antibody during all stages of the infection could be pivotal for establishing better control protocols.

Methods

A modified indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MI-ELISA) was developed using the spherical body protein-4 (SBP4) of B. bovis to detect antibody against diverse strains through all infection stages in cattle. This SBP4 MI-ELISA was evaluated for sensitivity and specificity against field sera from regions with endemic and non-endemic B. bovis. Sera were also evaluated from cattle infected experimentally with various doses and strains during acute and persistent infection with parasitemia defined by nested PCR.

Results

The format variables for SBP4 MI-ELISA were optimized and the cutoff for positive and negative interpretation was determined based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis using B. bovis positive and negative sera tested in the reference immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The diagnostic specificity of the SBP4 MI-ELISA using IFA-negative sera collected from Texas was 100%, significantly higher than the cELISA (90.4%) based on an epitope in the rhoptry-associated protein-1 (RAP-1 cELISA). The diagnostic sensitivity of the SBP4 MI-ELISA was 98.7% using the IFA-positive sera collected from several areas of Mexico, in contrast to that of the RAP-1 cELISA at 60% using these same sera. In cattle infected with low and high doses of three B. bovis strains, the SBP4 MI-ELISA remained antibody positive for 11 months or more after initial detection at 10 to 13 days post-inoculation. However, the RAP-1 cELISA did not reliably detect antibody after eight months post-inoculation despite the fact that parasitemia was occasionally detectable by PCR. Furthermore, initial antibody detection by RAP-1 cELISA in low-dose infected animals was delayed approximately nine and a half days compared to the SBP4 MI-ELISA.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate excellent diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the novel SBP4 MI-ELISA for cattle with acute and long-term carrier infections. It is posited that use of this assay in countries that have B. bovis-endemic herds may be pivotal in preventing the spread of this disease to non-endemic herds.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2016-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A longitudinal study of Babesia and Theileria infections in cattle in Sri Lanka

Throughout the world, infections with the Babesia and Theileria parasites often result in economically significant clinical disease in cattle. We conducted a longitudinal survey of Babesia and Theileria infections in cattle from the Polonnaruwa (n=75; dry zone) and Nuwara Eliya (n=161; wet zone) districts of Sri Lanka. DNA from blood samples collected in June, September, and December 2014 and March 2015 was screened for Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Theileria annulata and Theileria orientalis using specific polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). Additionally, serum samples collected from the animals were screened using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to detect B. bovis- and B. bigemina-specific antibodies. All of the animals surveyed in Polonnaruwa and 150 (93.2%) of the animals surveyed in Nuwara Eliya were PCR-positive for Babesia and/or Theileria at least once during the study period. A greater percentage of the cattle in Polonnaruwa were positive for T. annulata and T. orientalis than B. bovis or B. bigemina at all time points. T. orientalis was the most common infection in Nuwara Eliya. Additionally, more cattle were seropositive for B. bigemina than B. bovis in both districts. Although significant variations were sometimes observed in the rates of animals that were positive for B. bigemina, T. annulata, and T. orientalis at the different sampling time points, the rates of new infections with these parasites (by PCR or ELISA) on second, third, and fourth time points among the parasite-negative samples at the first, second, and third time points, respectively, did not differ between the sampling in either district-suggesting that the parasite species infected cattle at a constant rate in these locations. However, in Polonnaruwa, the rates of new infection with T. annulata were higher than the rates of new infection with T. orientalis. The rates were also higher than those in Nuwara Eliya. In Nuwara Eliya, the rates of new infection with T. orientalis were higher than the rates of new infection with T. annulata. The rates were also higher than those in T. orientalis in Polonnaruwa. These differences might be due to variations in the density and activity of the specific tick vectors within and between the districts. Our findings suggest the need for year-round control measures against bovine Babesia and Theileria infection in Sri Lanka. Further studies to determine the densities of the vector tick species in the different geographical areas of the country are warranted.

Babesia ovata: Taxonomy, phylogeny and epidemiology

Babesia ovata, which is transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis, is an intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite of cattle. Based on its morphology, B. ovata is classified as a large-type Babesia. The developmental stages of B. ovata have been described both in cattle and the tick vector. In infected adult female ticks, the parasite is transovarially transmitted to the tick eggs. The sexual reproduction of B. ovata has been demonstrated in the tick midgut. The diagnostic tools that are currently available for the specific detection of B. ovata in cattle include microscopy and polymerase chain reaction assays. The development of improved molecular and serological diagnostic tools has been constrained by the limited availability of genetic data. B. ovata has been reported in cattle populations in Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia and Thailand. B. ovata was thought to be a benign parasite; however, infections in immuno compromised or Theileria orientalis-infected animals are clinically significant. Thus, control strategies aimed at minimizing the prevalence of B. ovata are vital. The taxonomy of B. ovata is unclear, and the phylogenetic position has not been well defined. Consequently, non-B. ovata species have sometimes been classified as B. ovata. In this review, we provide an outline of the lifecycle, geographical distribution, and control of B. ovata, and critically discuss the taxonomy and phylogeny of this bovine Babesia.

Expression analysis and biological characterization of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) (Babesia motasi-like) rhoptry-associated protein 1 and its potential use in serodiagnosis via ELISA

Background

In China, ovine babesiosis is one of the most important tick-borne haemoparasitic diseases of small ruminants. It has a significant economic impact, and several Babesia motasi-like isolates have been recently shown to be responsible for ovine babesiosis in this country.

Methods

Full-length and C-terminal-truncated forms of the rap-1a61-1 gene of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) were cloned into the pET-30a plasmid and subsequently expressed as His-fusion proteins. The resulting recombinant RAP-1a proteins (rRAP-1a61-1 and rRAP-1a61-1/CT) were purified and evaluated as diagnostic antigens using Western blot analysis and ELISA. The native Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) RAP-1 protein was recognized using Western blots and IFAT by antibodies that were raised in rabbits against rRAP-1a61-1/CT. The specificity, sensitivity and positive threshold values for rRAP-1a61-1/CT in ELISA were evaluated.

Results

Cross-reactivity was observed between rRAP-1a61-1/CT and positive sera for Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan), Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian) and Babesia sp. Tianzhu isolates obtained from infected sheep. At one week post-inoculation, a significant increase was observed in the amount of antibodies produced against RAP-1a, and high levels of antibodies against RAP-1a were observed for 3 months (at 84 days p.i.). A total of 3198 serum samples were collected from small ruminants in 54 different regions in 23 provinces of China. These samples were tested using ELISA based on the rRAP-1a61-1/CT protein. The results indicated that the average positive rate was 36.02 %.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that rRAP-1a61-1/CT might be a potential diagnostic antigen for detecting several isolates of B. motasi-like parasites infection.

Evaluating the Babesia bovis infection of cattle in China with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Babesia bovis is an important pathogen of bovine babesiosis and causes serious constraints on the health and productivity of domestic cattle in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Aiming to clarify the prevalence of B. bovis in China, a total of 2,364 cattle serum samples were randomly collected from 45 different areas of 17 provinces in China. Antibodies against B. bovis were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a recombinant C-terminal antigen of B. bovis rhoptry-associated protein-1 (RAP-1) to evaluate the prevalence of B. bovis. The results showed that the parasite was present in all of the investigated 17 provinces. The positive rate was from 6.40 to 47.27%, and the mean rate was 24.92%. These survey data will provide important information for designing control strategies for bovine babesiosis in China.

C-Terminal region of 48-kDa rhoptry protein for serological detection of Babesia caballi antibodies in horses

A recombinant C-terminal antigen derived from Babesia caballi 48-kDa rhoptry protein (rBc48/CT) was made for the development of a serologically diagnostic test. Antiserum raised against the rBc48/CT reacted specifically with the corresponding native protein by Western blotting and the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Next, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Bc48/CT-ELISA) and an immunochromatographic test based on the Bc48/CT (Bc48/CT-ICT) were constructed and employed for the detection of an antibody to B. caballi in a variety of equine sera. The results of Bc48/CT-ELISA and Bc48/CT-ICT were highly concordant with those of IFAT and ELISA, with full-length protein of Bc48 used as the reference tests. Our results demonstrate the success of Bc48/CT as antigen for the serological diagnosis of B. caballi infection in horses.

A novel neutralization sensitive and subdominant RAP-1-related antigen (RRA) is expressed byBabesia bovismerozoites

Objective.TheBabesia bovisgenome encodes arap-1related gene denominated RAP-1 related antigen (RRA). In this study, we analysed the pattern of expression, immunogenicity and functional relevance of RRA.Methods.Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the program Phylip. Expression ofrrawas analysed by Northern blots, RT-PCR, immunoprecipitation, Western blots and immunofluorescence. RRA antigenicity was tested by T-cell proliferation and Western blot analysis, and functional relevance was determined in anin vitroneutralization assay.Results.RRA is more closely related to RAP-1b ofBabesia bigeminathan toB. bovisRAP-1, and it is highly conserved among distinct strains. Transcriptional analysis suggests lower numbers ofrratranscripts compared torap-1.Immunoprecipitation of metabolically labelledB. bovisproteins with antibodies against synthetic peptides representing predicted antigenic regions of RRA confirmed the expression of a ∼43 kDa RRA in cultured merozoites. Antibodies present inB. bovishyperimmune sera, but not in field-infected cattle sera, reacted weakly with recombinant RRA, and no significant stimulation was obtained using recombinant RRA as antigen in T-cell proliferation assays, indicating that RRA is a subdominant antigen. Antibodies against RRA synthetic peptides reacted with merozoites using immunofluorescence, and were able to significantly inhibit erythrocyte invasion inin vitroneutralization tests, suggesting functional relevance for parasite survival.Conclusion.B. bovisexpress a novel subdominant RAP-1-like molecule that may contribute to erythrocyte invasion and/or egression by the parasite.

Spherical body protein 4 is a new serological antigen for global detection of Babesia bovis infection in cattle

Five Babesia bovis recombinant proteins, including merozoite surface antigen 2c (BbMSA-2c), C-terminal rhoptry-associated protein 1 (BbRAP-1/CT), truncated thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (BbTRAP-T), spherical body protein 1 (BbSBP-1), and spherical body protein 4 (BbSBP-4), were evaluated as diagnostic antigens to detect the infection in cattle. The recombinant proteins were highly antigenic when tested with experimentally B. bovis-infected bovine serum in Western blot analysis. Furthermore, five antisera that had been raised against each of the recombinant proteins reacted specifically with the corresponding authentic protein, as determined in Western blot analysis. Next, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using these recombinant proteins were evaluated for diagnostic use, and the sensitivity and specificity of each protein were demonstrated with a series of serum samples from experimentally B. bovis-infected cattle. Furthermore, a total of 669 field serum samples collected from cattle in regions of B. bovis endemicity in seven countries were tested with the ELISAs, and the results were compared to those of an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), as a reference. Among five recombinant antigens, recombinant BbSBP-4 (rBbSBP-4) had the highest concordance rate (85.3%) and kappa value (0.705), indicating its reliability in the detection of specific antibodies to B. bovis in cattle, even in different geographical regions. Overall, we have successfully developed an ELISA based on rBbSBP-4 as a new serological antigen for a practical and sensitive test which will be applicable for epidemiologic survey and control programs in the future.

Seroprevalence of Babesia infections of dairy cows in northern Thailand

The present study was conducted to demonstrate the epidemiological distribution of bovine babesiosis in the northern regions of Thailand. A total of 700 serum samples of dairy cows in the northern provinces (Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lumpang, and Mae Hong Sorn) were tested for antibodies against Babesia bovis and B. bigemina. Species-specific enzyme-linked (rRAP-1/CTs) were performed. According to the results, 517 (73.8%) and 484 (69.1%) were positive for B. bovis and B. bigemina, respectively. In addition, 370 (52.9%) were positive for mixed infections by both ELISAs. On the other hand, all samples were also examined by the indirect fluorescent-antibody test (IFAT) with B. bovis- and B. bigemina-infected blood smears. According to the IFAT, 482 (68.8%) and 531 (75.8%) were positive for these infections, respectively. The overall concordances between the ELISA and IFAT techniques were 93.6% and 90.7% for B. bovis and B. bigemina infections, respectively. These results indicated that babesia infections are widespread in the northern parts of Thailand. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the epidemiology of Babesia infections using rRAP-1/CT-based ELISAs in these areas.

Molecular characterizations of three distinctBabesia gibsonirhoptry-associated protein-1s (RAP-1s)

Three cDNAs encoding rhoptry-associated protein 1 (RAP-1) homologues were found in theBabesia gibsoniEST database. Based on similarities to BgRAP-1a, which was identified previously by serological screening of a cDNA merozoite library, the two new genes were designatedBgRAP-1b(33·7%) andBgRAP-1c(57%). Mice antiserum raised against each recombinant protein reacted specifically withB. gibsoniparasites as determined by Western blotting, which showed native molecular sizes of the BgRAP-1a (51 kDa), BgRAP-1b (53 kDa) and BgRAP-1c (47 kDa) consistent with predictable molecular weights. Immunofluoresence using these antibodies revealed localization of all BgRAP-1s within the matrix of merozoites; however, BgRAP-1a appeared to diverge from the other two when it was found secreted into the cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes. Apical localization of all 3 BgRAP-1s during the extracellular stage of the parasite combined with their ability to bind a canine erythrocyte membrane fraction was suggestive of a role for these proteins in erythrocyte attachment. Lastly, the ability of these recombinant proteins to be used as diagnostic reagents was tested by ELISA and the sensitivities of BgRAP-1a and BgRAP-1c were found increased through N-terminal truncation. Taken together, our data suggest divergent roles for the 3 BgRAP-1s in the merozoite stage ofB. gibsoni.

Efficiency of a recombinant MSA-2c-based ELISA to establish the persistence of antibodies in cattle vaccinated with Babesia bovis

Bovine babesiosis is caused by Babesia bovis and B. bigemina in Argentina. These protozoans are prevalent north of parallel 30 degrees S, where their natural vector Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is widespread. To prevent babesiosis outbreaks in endemic areas, an increasing population of 4-10-month-old calves are vaccinated with low virulence B. bovis R1A (BboR1A) and B. bigemina S1A (BbiS1A) strains. In non-endemic areas, an additional calf population is also vaccinated and boostered as adults, before they are relocated to R. microplus-endemic areas of the country. Serological tests are currently utilized not only to determine the status of natural Babesia spp. infections, but also to confirm the infection caused by vaccine strains. For this purpose, an indirect enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) based on the recombinant major surface antigen-2c (rMSA-2c) of B. bovis expressed in Escherichia coli, was standardized using sera from Babesia spp. experimentally infected cattle. ELISA(rMSA-2c) was validated using sera obtained weekly during 336 days from steers primed and boostered with BboR1A and/or BbiS1A on days 0 and 154, then compared with the immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFAT). Western blot (WB) protein analysis was used to confirm the specificity of the immune response to rMSA-2c. The sensitivity and specificity for ELISA(rMSA-2c) were 92 and 96% after the Babesia spp. priming and 88 and 73% after the boostering immunization, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for IFAT were 99 and 90% after priming and 92 and 98% after boostering, respectively. Unlike IFAT, ELISA(rMSA-2c) detected a remarkable delayed booster response and a significant drop in specificity between 35 and 84 days after the booster immunization. Simultaneously, 87.5% of cattle boostered with B. bigemina showed cross-reactions in the ELISA(rMSA-2c), particularly between 63 and 77 days after the inoculation. A reaction against E. coli was observed, since bands of approximately 40 and/or 42kDa were detected using sera from cattle before and after Babesia spp. inoculations. ELISA(rMSA-2c) showed to be useful between 42 and 98 days after priming with Babesia spp. live vaccine to evaluate the success of infecting cattle. However, after boostering the test showed low specificity.

Development of two immunochromatographic tests for the serodiagnosis of bovine babesiosis

In this study, we developed two immunochromatographic tests (ICTs), which are nitrocellulose membrane-based immunoassays for the convenient and rapid serodiagnosis of bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bovis (BoICT) and Babesia bigemina (BiICT). The efficacy of two ICTs was evaluated using 13 positive sera from experimentally infected cattle with B. bovis or B. bigemina. Clear results showed that the BoICT and ELISA detected antibodies in sera collected from 14 to 93 days post-infection, while BiICT and ELISA detected from 13 to 274 days post-infection. In additon, non-infected cattle, Neospora caninum, and Cryptosporidium parvum were negative in two ICTs. To evaluate the field utility of the ICTs, we tested 186 field bovine sera collected from cattle living in Yanbian (China) and Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil). The results of ICTs were compared to those of classical serodiagnostic methods, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT). The overall concordances of BoICT were determined as 92.5 and 90.3% when the results of ELISA and IFAT were set as the reference standards, respectively. In contrast, those of BiICT showed 96.8 and 92.5% relative to the results of standard ELISA and IFAT, respectively. Conventional and rapid diagnosic devices for bovine babesiosis may provide a valuable tool in clinical and field applications.

Evaluation of ELISA based on the conserved and functional middle region of nucleocapsid protein to detect distemper infection in dogs

A 287bp fragment from the middle region of the nucleocapsid protein of canine distemper virus (CDV) was amplified from the conjunctival samples of distemper-infected dogs and was cloned into pRSET B vector. The recombinant protein was expressed as a 16-kDa-fusion protein with histidine tag in E. coli. Sera of distemper-infected and vaccinated dogs contained IgG antibodies against the purified recombinant protein as observed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and showed a strong correlation (r=0.882, p<0.0001 at 95% CI) and good agreement (kappa=0.718) with the conventional tissue culture viral antigen based ELISA. Further, the results of recombinant protein based ELISA and Western blotting with the sera from the infected and vaccinated dogs correlated well (kappa=0.8226). These findings recommend the use of the recombinant protein in the serodiagnosis of canine distemper virus infection in dogs.

Evaluation of a recombinant excretory secretory Haemonchus contortus protein for use in a diagnostic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The nematode Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) is one of the most pathogenic and economically important parasites of sheep. A 24 kDa protein is one of the important components in H. contortus excretory/secretory (ES), which was shown to have important biological function. In our research, the cDNA of its open reading frame (ES24) was obtained and analyzed. Then the ES24 was sub-cloned into pET-30a expression vector. The recombinant vector that codes hexahistidyl peptide fusion protein (His-ES24) was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) strain. After induction, a high expression level of His-ES24 was found at 6h taking about 26% of the total bacterial protein analyzed by gel thin-layer scanning. The expressed His-ES24 was purified and then used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect specific antibodies in serum samples. The ELISA was able to differentiate between H. contortus-infected sheep serum and Fasciola hepatica-infected sheep serum or non-infected sheep serum. No cross-reaction was observed in sheep sera that have been experimentally infected with F. hepatica. A total of 153 field sheep serum samples conserved in our laboratory were examined using the His-ES24 ELISA, and 82 (53.6%) of them were found seropositive to H. contortus. Our results demonstrate that the prokaryotic-expressed His-ES24 might be a useful diagnostic reagent for epidemiological studies of H. contortus in sheep.

Toxoplasma gondii: Comparison of a rhoptry-ELISA with IFAT and MAT for antibody detection in sera of experimentally infected pigs

Indirect ELISA and IFAT have been reported to be more sensitive and specific than agglutination tests. However, MAT is cheaper, easier than the others and does not need special equipment. The purpose of this study was to compare an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using crude rhoptries of Toxoplasma gondii as coating wells (r-ELISA) with indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and modified agglutination test (MAT) to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies in sera of experimentally infected pigs. Ten mixed breed pigs between 6.5 and 7.5 weeks old were used. All pigs were negative for the presence of T. gondii antibodies by IFAT (titre < 16), r-ELISA (OD < 0.295) and MAT (titre < 16). Animals received 7x10(7) viable tachyzoites of the RH strain by intramuscular (IM) route at day 0. Serum samples were collected at days -6, 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 50, and 57. IFAT detected anti-T. gondii antibodies earlier than r-ELISA and MAT. The average of antibody levels was higher at day 35 in IFAT (Log10=2.9) and in MAT (Log10 = 3.5), and at day 42 in r-ELISA (OD = 0.797). The antibody levels remained high through the 57th day after inoculation in MAT, and there was a decrease tendency in r-ELISA and IFAT. IFAT was used as "gold standard" and r-ELISA demonstrated a higher prevalence (73.3%), sensitivity (94.3%), negative predictive value (83.3%), and accuracy (95.6%) than MAT. Kappa agreements among tests were calculated, and the best results were shown by r-ELISAxIFAT (kappa = 0.88, p < 0.001). Cross-reaction with Sarcocystis miescheriana was investigated in r-ELISA and OD mean was 0.163 +/- 0.035 (n = 65). Additionally, none of the animals inoculated with Sarcocystis reacted positively in r-ELISA. Our results indicate that r-ELISA could be a good method for serological detection of T. gondii infection in pigs.

Expression of C-terminal truncated and full-length Babesia bigemina rhoptry-associated protein 1 and their potential use in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Recombinant antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the serological diagnosis of Babesia bigemina infection by using a full-length B. bigemina rhoptry-associated protein 1 (rRAP-1) and the truncated C-terminal RAP-1 (rRAP-1/CT). While the rRAP-1 showed cross reactivity between B. bigemina- and Babesia bovis-infected bovine sera, the rRAP-1/CT was highly specific to B. bigemina-infected bovine sera and proved useful in the detection of sequential sera collected from an experimentally infected cow during the acute and latent infection. The high yield of soluble rRAP-1/CT and its diagnostic specificity demonstrate its potential in the diagnosis of B. bigemina infection. Its usefulness for epidemiological investigation is currently being evaluated.