use of pp150 and gp116 synthetic peptides in the detection of CMV antibodies

Human cytomegalovirus [HCMV] infection may cause severe outcomes in transplants and pregnant women. Diagnosis of CMV infections by using serological detection of CMV specific antibodies varies widely due to different antigen compositions in the diagnostic tests. The aim of this study was to identify the reactive peptides of CMV for CMV-lgM and -lgG detection. The reactivity of peptides [peptide 1: amino acids 595-614 of phosphoprotein 150 [pp150], peptide2: amino acids 1024-1048 of pp150, peptide3: amino acids 798-805 of C-terminal part of glycoprotein B [gp55], peptide 4: amino acids 68-81 of N-terminal part of glycoprotein B [gp 116], and peptide 5: amino acids 29-48 of glycoprotein H] as epitopes was determined in ELISA, using renal transplant recipients' sera [n=84] with high titers of CMV-lgM and healthy individuals' sera [n=87] with high titers of CMV-lgG antibodies. Amino acids 595-614 and 1024-1048 of pp150 had a high reactivity [83.3% and 88.0%] with renal transplant recipients' sera while the other peptides did not. The amino acids 68-81 of gp116 reacted with 81.6% of the healthy individuals' sera but the other amino acids showed low reactivity with these sera. Amino acids 595-614 and 1024-1048 of pp150 and amino acids 68-81 of N-terminal part of gp 116 could be considered in recombinant protein construction for detection of CMV-lgM and -lgG antibodies

Development of single chain antibodies to P185 tumor antigen

The human heavy [VH] and light [VL] chain variable genes are amplified and randomly assembled together and cloned into the minor coat protein gene [g3p] of M13 bacteriophage. The resulting library of scFv is expressed on the phage as g3p fusion protein. The high affinity specific scFv antibodies can be selected against a key antigen using panning process. Our aim was development of scFv antibodies against P185 tumor antigen by recombinant phage antibody system and panning process. Antibody engineering technology was applied to lymphocyte mRNA of a non-immune donor and a scFv library was constructed. The library was panned against an immunodominant epitope of P185 which its reactivity had been tested with sera from breast cancer patients. DNA fingerprinting of the scFvs selected the predominated clones. These were then screened by ELISA. A large library including high repertoires of VH and VL was constructed. DNA fingerprinting differentiated a number of clones. After selection against the immunodominant epitope of P185, nine clones were differentiated including two predominated scFv antibodies. The predominated antibodies were bound to the corresponding epitope and produced a positive ELISA. The high affinity P185 specific scFv antibodies which were originated from human genes and bound specifically to the P185 epitope are valuable clinical agents and have the potential to be used in cancer immunotherapy in which P185 overexpression and metastasis occurs

[Prevalence of Anti-HCV antibody in haemodialysis patients referring to haemodialysis unit of Jahrom]

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] is a major cause of chronic liver disease among chronic renal failure [CRF] patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HCV infection in patients on haemodialysis of Jahrom. This cross-sectional study was caaried out on all haemodialysis patients of Jahrom in April - May 2006. All patients were screened for anti-HCV antibodies, using ELISA and confirmed by using RIBA methods. We found that 3 patients [8.8%] were anti-HCV positive by ELISA and 2 [5.9%] patients were confirmed by using RIBA methods. Seroprevalence of HCV in the heamodialysis patients of Jahrom was 5.9% that is lower than seroprevalence of HCV in haemodialysis patients of other countries

common antigen between candida albicans and salmonella C

Cross-reactivity between Candida albicans and Salmonella C1 has been reported. To investigate the nature of this common antigen, antibody against the surface antigens of both organisms was raised in rabbits. Double diffusion and electroimmunodiffusion tests showed that anti-Salmonella sera had antibody against the soluble antigens of C. albicans. Mannan was extracted from Salmonella montevideo [isolated from a patient in Shiraz], which gave lines of identity with mannan from C. albicans in a double diffusion test. We therefore believe that the common antigen of C. albicans and Salmonella C1 is the surface antigen mannan