[Recent advances in the immunodiagnosis of human cystic echinococcosis].
Human cystic echinococcosis is a severe zoonotic infection caused by the larval stage of the taeniid tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. The infection may be fatal if proper treatment is not provided; hence, early diagnosis is very important. Currently, ELISA and immunoblotting are the most reliable tests for serodiagnostic purposes, although their accuracy is largely dependent on the quality of the antigenic source used. Hydatid cyst fluid has been the antigenic extract of choice for primary immunodiagnosis of the disease, which is mainly based on the detection of antigens B and 5. Several problems are associated with this extract, however, including a lack of sensitivity and specificity, and difficulties with standardization of its use. This paper reviews recent advances in the identification and characterization of novel antigens that may be useful for the immunodiagnosing of human cystic echinococcosis, with emphasis on progress in recombinant technologies and synthetic peptides. Novel approaches are discussed, such as the design of antigenic extracts from other developmental stages of the parasite, as well as the usefulness of serum cytokine detection in the clinical follow-up of affected patients after surgical or pharmacological treatment.
Carmena
David
D
MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Membrane Transport Biology Group, Faculty of Medicine. Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK. d.carmena@imperial.ac.uk
Benito
Aitziber
A
Eraso
Elena
E
D000359:Aftercare; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs / Q000469:parasitology; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000639:trends; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D015047:Zoonoses
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008222:Lymphokines