Standardization of an ELISA test using a recombinant nucleoprotein from the Junin virus as the antigen and serological screening for arenavirus among the population of Nova Xavantina, State of Mato Grosso.
BACKGROUND
Arenavirus hemorrhagic fever is a severe emerging disease.


METHODS
Considering that the levels of antibodies against arenavirus in the Brazilian population are completely unknown, we have standardized an ELISA test for detecting IgG antibodies using a recombinant nucleoprotein from the Junin virus as the antigen. This protein was obtained by inserting the gene of the Junin virus nucleoprotein into the genome of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus, using the Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system. This recombinant baculovirus was used to infect S. frugiperda cells (SF9).


RESULTS
The infection resulted in synthesis of high concentrations of recombinant protein. This protein was detected on 12.5% polyacrylamide gel and by means of Western blot. Using the standardized ELISA test, 343 samples from the population of Nova Xavantina were analyzed. We observed that 1.4% of the serum samples (five samples) presented antibody titers against arenavirus.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show the population studied may present exposure to arenavirus infection.
Machado
Alex Martins
AM
Virology Research Center, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. alexmmachado@usp.br
Figueiredo
Glauciane Garcia
GG
Campos
Gelse Maria
GM
Lozano
Mario Enrique
ME
Machado
Aline Rafaela da Silva Rodrigues
AR
Figueiredo
Luiz Tadeu Moraes
LT
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D001117:Arenaviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018050:Arenavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001938:Brazil; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D018051:Junin virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D009698:Nucleoproteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins