What is it about?
The aims of this study were to identify and characterize an Acanthamoeba castellanii surface protein and to evaluate its diagnostic potential. In silico predictions of surface proteins allowed to identify the A. castellanii calreticulin as a possible surface antigen. The coding sequence of a predicted extracellular domain of A. castellanii calreticulin was cloned by in vivo homologous recombination and the recombinant polypeptide (AcCRT29–130) was produced. Its immunodiagnostic potential was assessed in a recombinant antigen-based ELISA with sera from experimentally infected rats that developed keratitis and encephalitis, and sera from patients with encephalitis. The AcCRT29–130 was significantly more recognized by sera from encephalitis infected rats in comparison with the non-infected controls. Human sera from encephalitis patients, however presented no significant response. These results showed the AcCRT29–130 potential for A. castellanii infection immunodiagnosis in animals, with further studies being required for assessment of its use for human infections.
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Why is it important?
The AcCRT29–130 was significantly more recognized by sera from encephalitis infected rats in comparison with the non-infected controls. The results showed the AcCRT29–130 potential for A. castellanii infection immunodiagnosis in animals, with further studies being required for assessment of its use for human infections.
Perspectives
I hope we will get advances in the diagnosis of the infections caused by Acanthamoeba spp.
Dr Marilise B Rott
ICBS/UFRGS
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Evaluation of the immunodiagnostic potential of a recombinant surface protein domain from Acanthamoeba castellanii, Parasitology, July 2016, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016001281.
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