title: Biochemical characterization of an in-house Coccidioides antigen: perspectives for the immunodiagnosis of coccidioidomycosis.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the reactivity of an in-house antigen, extracted from a strain of C. posadasii isolated in northeastern Brazil, by radial immunodiffusion and Western blotting, as well as to establish its biochemical characterization. The protein antigen was initially extracted with the use of solid ammonium sulfate and characterized by 1-D electrophoresis. Subsequently, it was tested by means of double radial immunodiffusion and Western blotting. A positive reaction was observed against the antigen by both immunodiagnostic techniques tested on sera from patients suffering from coccidioidomycosis. Besides this, two immunoreactive protein bands were observed and were revealed to be a β-glucosidase and a glutamine synthetase after sequencing of the respective N-terminal regions. Our in-house Coccidioides antigen can be promising as a quick and low-cost diagnostic tool without the risk of direct manipulation of the microorganism.
authors: Specialized Medical Mycology Center, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, CEP 60430-270, Brazil. renatoevando@secrel.com.br
authors: Renato Evando Moreira
authors: RE
authors: Filho
authors: Silviane Praciano
authors: SP
authors: Bandeira
authors: Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira
authors: RS
authors: Brillhante
authors: Marcos Fábio Gadelha
authors: MF
authors: Rocha
authors: Ilka Maria
authors: IM
authors: Vasconcelos
authors: Mirella Leite
authors: ML
authors: Pereira
authors: Débora de Souza Collares Maia
authors: Dde S
authors: Castelo-Branco
authors: Francisco Airton Castro
authors: FA
authors: Rocha
authors: Zoilo Pires de
authors: ZP
authors: Camargo
authors: Marcio Viana
authors: MV
authors: Ramos
authors: Rossana de Aguiar
authors: Rde A
authors: Cordeiro
authors: José Júlio Costa
authors: JJ
authors: Sidrim
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D003045:Coccidioides / Q000276:immunology*; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight
chemical_list: D000946:Antigens, Fungal