Abstract
BackgroundThe allergic test of mallein is one of the most frequently used tests, together with the Complement Fixation Test (CFT), for the diagnosis of glanders in endemic areas. Mallein, a purified protein derivative (PPD), is produced similarly to PPD tuberculin and the end product is a primarily proteic antigen, which is only poorly purified. The immuno-allergic activity of mallein is believed to be due to a high molecular weight group of proteins present in the antigen. To improve the quality of the antigen, in terms of sensitivity and specificity, a new method of mallein production was developed, in which purification was accomplished by ultrafiltration in a Tangential Flow Filtration system (TFF).ResultsThe TFF methodology efficiently separated the high and low molecular weight protein groups of mallein. The five TFF-purified malleins, produced from Burkholderia mallei strains isolated from clinical cases of glanders in Brazil, proved to be more potent than standard mallein in the induction of an allergic reaction in sensitized animals. Regarding specificity, two of the purified malleins were equivalent to the standard and three were less specific.ConclusionSome of the TFF-purified malleins showed considerable potential to be used as an auxiliary test in the diagnosis of glanders.
Highlights
The allergic test of mallein is one of the most frequently used tests, together with the Complement Fixation Test (CFT), for the diagnosis of glanders in endemic areas
In this paper we describe a new method for the production and purification of the mallein antigens based on the separation of high and low molecular weight proteins by ultrafiltration in a Tangential Flow Filtration system (TFF)
The TFF methodology was efficient in partially purifying the malleo-proteins, separating fractions of high and low molecular weight
Summary
The allergic test of mallein is one of the most frequently used tests, together with the Complement Fixation Test (CFT), for the diagnosis of glanders in endemic areas. A purified protein derivative (PPD), is produced to PPD tuberculin and the end product is a primarily proteic antigen, which is only poorly purified. The immuno-allergic activity of mallein is believed to be due to a high molecular weight group of proteins present in the antigen. To improve the quality of the antigen, in terms of sensitivity and specificity, a new method of mallein production was developed, in which purification was accomplished by ultrafiltration in a Tangential Flow Filtration system (TFF). Glanders is usually chronic, and the infected animal may live for years. The acute form is more common, and the infected animals may die in a few days. Transmission of glanders occurs mainly by the ingestion of food and water contaminated by the secretions of animals with the clinical and sub-clinical
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