Relevant peptides of Taenia crassiceps for the diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis by immunoblot

L.F Silva,R.P.M.G Peixoto,E.C.A Nieto,P.S.A Pinto,C.T.S Ducas,T.O Santos

doi:10.1590/1678-4162-7291

Abstract

Given the limited knowledge about the diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis by immunoblot, the aim of this study was to assess the applicability of this test, identifying key peptides with diagnostic value. Immunoblot assays were performed using total larval antigen of Taenia crassiceps and 60 sera of positive bovines for cysticercosis (30 naturally and 30 experimentally infected with T. saginata eggs), 30 sera of negative bovines for cysticercosis and 30 sera of bovines with other diseases (fascioliasis, hydatidosis and tuberculosis). The peptides of greater diagnostic importance, in descending order of accuracy (%), were as follows: 6-8kDa (90.8%), 129-143kDa (74.2%), 99-105kDa (71.7%) and 14-19kDa (71.1%). Cross-reactions, due to fascioliasis and hydatidosis, were observed in the four intervals of peptides highlighted. The results demonstrate that the total antigen of T. crassiceps has peptides with a high diagnostic potential; therefore, the immunoblot is useful in the diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis.

Highlights

IntroductionThe taeniasis-cysticercosis complex caused by Taenia saginata is responsible for two different occurrences and parasitic state in humans (taeniasis) and in cattle (cysticercosis)
The taeniasis-cysticercosis complex caused by Taenia saginata is responsible for two different occurrences and parasitic state in humans and in cattle
The results demonstrate that the total antigen of T. crassiceps has peptides with a high diagnostic potential; the immunoblot is useful in the diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis

Summary

Introduction

The taeniasis-cysticercosis complex caused by Taenia saginata is responsible for two different occurrences and parasitic state in humans (taeniasis) and in cattle (cysticercosis). For the alternative diagnosis of porcine and human cysticercosis, the immunoblot has been employed by researchers as one of the serological techniques, showing performances of up to 100% in sensitivity and specificity. In these species, satisfactory results of immunological tests have been achieved using homologous antigens of Taenia solium larvae and heterologous of Taenia crassiceps larvae, whereas the latter, besides possessing peptides in common with the homologue, facilitates obtaining the consistency of antigen batches (Tsang et al, 1991; Pathak et al, 1994; Vaz et al, 1997; Bueno et al, 2000; Pinto et al, 2001)

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