A sensitive serodiagnostic test for onchocerciasis using a cocktail of recombinant antigens.
A specific serodiagnostic test for onchocerciasis has been a priority objective of the World Health Organization. Fragments of cDNA encoding Onchocerca volvulus antigens selected on the basis of their specificity for this parasite were subcloned into a protein purification and expression system. No individual recombinant antigen showed a high sensitivity in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay because of heterogeneity in the response of O. volvulus-infected individuals. However, a cocktail of three recombinant proteins showed 96% sensitivity with 100% specificity, compared with 99% sensitivity and only 59% specificity against a crude O. volvulus extract. The sensitivity of detection of individual antigens varied between sera taken from individuals from different geographic areas infected with O. volvulus, but when used as a cocktail, all but one of the microfilaria-positive individuals from all the geographic areas studied were detected. Recombinant probes provide a practical basis for specific diagnostic tests for helminth infections.
Bradley
J E
JE
Department of Biology, Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
Trenholme
K R
KR
Gillespie
A J
AJ
Guderian
R
R
Titanji
V
V
Hong
Y
Y
McReynolds
L
L
D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005368:Filariasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000276:immunology; D007843:Latin America; D017181:Onchocerca volvulus / Q000276:immunology*; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D007106:Immune Sera; D011994:Recombinant Proteins