title: Characterization of the ovine complement 4 binding protein-beta (C4BPB) chain as a serum biomarker for enhanced diagnosis of sheep scab.
abstract: Sheep scab, caused by the highly contagious mite Psoroptes ovis, is endemic in a number of sheep-producing countries worldwide, and is a major animal welfare and economic concern. Recent developments in the diagnosis of sheep scab include a highly sensitive and specific serum antibody-based assay which can be used to indicate exposure to the parasite but not necessarily current disease status. Here, a transcriptomic and bioinformatics analysis of the circulating leukocytes of sheep with active P. ovis infestation indicated that the transcription levels of complement 4 binding protein beta (C4BPB) increased by 12 fold from pre-infestation to 6 weeks post-infestation. Semi-quantitative studies confirmed increased serum C4BPB protein levels in sheep infested with P. ovis. To quantify this serum protein response and characterize ovine C4BPB as a biomarker for active P. ovis infestation, the ovine C4BPB gene was sequenced, a recombinant protein expressed, antibodies against this protein were raised in rabbits and a sandwich ELISA developed. The results from this assay indicated that serum C4BPB protein levels increased 4-fold from pre-infestation to 6 weeks post-infestation, which demonstrated the potential of the assay to quantify C4BPB in sheep sera and indicated the potential of C4BPB as a biomarker of current disease status in sheep post-infestation and post-treatment.
authors.affiliation: Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, United Kingdom. Beth.Wells@moredun.ac.uk
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: Stewart T G
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: Alasdair J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Nisbet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D040042:Psoroptidae; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D034561:Sheep, Domestic
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens