Synthetic peptides as an antigenic base in an ELISA for laboratory diagnosts of schistosomiasis mansoni

A pool of five synthetic peptides was used as an antigenic base in an ELISA (ELISA-Pp) for laboratory diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni. Serum samples were obtained from individuals with acute (n = 23) and chronic (n = 30) schistosomiasis, with other parasitoses (n = 39) or without parasitic infections (n = 100). ELISA-Pp was compared with other immunoenzymatic methods for detection of IgM (IgM-ELISA) or IgG (IgG-ELISA) as well as an immunofluorescence test for detection of IgM antibodies (IgM-IFT). The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA-Pp was 86.8% and 94.2% when tested on the schistosomiasis group and the non-schistosomiasis group, respectively. Comparison of ELISA-Pp with other serological methods resulted in K concordance indices varying from 0.59 to 0.75. Evaluation of anti-peptide IgG antibodies showed higher Levels in patients with acute compared with chronic schistosomiasis (P = 0.001). ELISA-Pp showed satisfactory sensitivity and high specificity and may constitute a potentially useful method for laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni. (c) 2007 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lipase Production by Endophytic Fungus Cercospora kikuchii: Stability of Enzymatic Activity after Spray Drying in the Presence of Carbohydrates

The present work deals with improving the production and stabilization of lipases from Cercospora kikuchii. Maximum enzyme production (9.384 U/ml) was obtained after 6 days in a medium supplemented with 2% soybean oil. The lipases were spray dried with different adjuvants, and their stability was studied. The residual enzyme activity after drying with 10% (w/v) of lactose, b- cyclodextrin, maltodextrin, mannitol, gum arabic, and trehalose ranged from 63 to 100%. The enzyme activity was lost in the absence of adjuvants. Most of the adjuvants used kept up at least 50% of the enzymatic activity at 5 degrees C and 40% at 25 degrees C after 8 months. The lipase dried with 10% of beta-cyclodextrin retained 72% of activity at 5 degrees C. Lipases were separated by butyl-sepharose column into 4 pools, and pool 4 was partially purified (33.1%; 269.5 U/mg protein). This pool was also spray dried in maltodextrin DE10, and it maintained 100% of activity.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck.

North-West elevation, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck, looking towards The Nest. Kitchen skylight above right.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

View looking back at house from pool deck.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck.

Interior, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

View through bedroom interiors to windows on North-East elevation above pool deck.

Stone wall, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

Stone clad wall to filter room beside pool deck.

Timber-framed windows, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

Windows to North-East elevation, looking onto pool deck.

North-West elevation, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck. Concrete framework for The Nest on left.

Interior, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

View through bedroom interiors to windows on North-East elevation above pool deck.

Outdoor room, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

Looking towards pool deck, Hanging Basket top right.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

View of Iwan and part of North-west elevation, as seen from pool deck.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck.