Twenty-six circulating antigens and two novel diagnostic candidate molecules identified in the serum of canines with experimental acute toxoplasmosis. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xue, Junxin; Jiang, Wei; Chen, Yongjun; Liu, Yingchun; Zhang, Huajing; Xiao, Yan; Qiao, Yuanbiao; Huang, Kehe; Wang, Quan
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 9:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Toxoplasma gondii -- Acute infection -- Proteomics -- Circulating antigens -- Diagnostic candidates; Parasitism -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Vector-pathogen relationships -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.96
• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1643-x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background The protozoanToxoplasma gondii is a pathogen that causes severe opportunistic disease in a wide range of hosts. Efficient methods to diagnose acuteT. gondii infection are essential for the administration of appropriate treatments and to reduce economic losses. In animals with acute infections, circulating antigens (CAgs) were detected as early as two days post-infection; these CAgs were reliable diagnostic indicators of acute infection. However, only a limited number of CAgs have been identified to date. The objective of this study was to identify a broader spectrum of CAgs and to explore novel diagnostic candidates in serum. Methods A canine model of acute toxoplasmiosis was established. For this purpose, six dogs were infected by intraperitoneal inoculation of tachyzoites. The CAgs spectrum in the serum was identified with the immunoprecipitation-shotgun approach. Two CAgs with low homology to other species, coronin protein (TgCOR) and ELMO protein (TgELMO), were heterologously expressed inEscherichia coli . Polyclonal antibodies against these two proteins were prepared, and the presence of these proteins in the serum was verified by Western blotting. The two CAgs were detected and evaluated by indirect ELISA methods. Results The CAgs levels peaked between two and five days after inoculation, and twenty-six CAgs were identified. Western blotting showed the presence of the two proteins in the serum during acute infection. Based on ELISA tests, the two CAgs were detected during acute infection. Conclusions We identified twenty-six CAgs in the serum of canines with experimental acute toxoplasmosis and discovered two novel diagnostic candidates. We also provide new insights into the diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis.