ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the morphological characteristics of Dermatophagoides farinae at different developmental stages. Methods The cultured D. farinae was isolated, and the external morphological features of mites at various developmental stages were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), including egg, larva, nymph and adult stages. Results The D. farinae egg appeared a long oval shape, and the larval mites had three pairs of legs. The nymph had four pairs of legs and underdeveloped genital pores containing genital setae and anal setae, and adult mites appeared long and oval in shape, with decorative patterns on epidermis, and had four pairs of legs. In male adult mites, remarkable thickening of the leg I and thicker and longer leg III than the leg IV were seen, and ventral genital regions were found between the basal segments of legs III and IV; the anus was surrounded by a circular peri-anal ring, with a pair of anal suckers and anal setae within the ring. In the female adult mites, slender legs III and IV with an equal length were seen, and a “λ-shape” genital hole was observed on the ventral surface, with a crescent-like genital plate in the anterior part, and the anus appeared a longitudinal slit. Conclusions An SEM observation of the external morphology of D. farinae provides understandings of the morphological characteristics of D. farinae, which is of great significance for the classification and identification.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the diagnostic value of 4 serum autoantibodies in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients (anti-Rho-GDI-2, -HSP70, -CK19 and -LAP3 antibodies) using a serological proteomic approach. Methods The conditions for blocking, antigen concentrations and serum dilution were optimized to establish the ELISA method for detection of serum autoantibodies for Rho-GDI-2, HSP70, CK19 and LAP3. The serum concentrations of these autoantibodies were detected by the established method in 36 NPC patients, 20 other cancer patients and 20 healthy individuals. The statistical analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of the 4 serum autoantibodies. Results The concentrations of 4 serum autoantibodies in the NPC patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy individuals(A450 values in NPC group of CK19, Rho-GDI-2, HSP70, LAP3 were 0. 188 8 ±0.047 3, 0.240 5 ± 0.024 7, 0. 116 8 ±0.025 3, 0.276 9 ±0.044 2 repectively. A450 values in healthy control group were 0.010 5 ±0.004 4, 0. 105 3 ±0. 016 9, 0. 098 6 ± 0. 014 0, 0. 149 8 ± 0. 033 1 respectively. F values were 4. 869, 15. 919, 10. 331,6. 369, respectively. P values were 0. 010, 0. 000, 0. 000, 0. 003, respectively). The sensitivities of antiRho-GDI-2, anti-HSP70, anti -CK19 and anti -LAP3 autoantibodies for diagnosis of NPC was 85.0%,75.0%, 75.0% and 75.0%, respectively, and the specificities were 58.9%, 80. 4%, 58. 9% and 57. 1%, respectively, anti-Rho-GDI-2 and anti-HSP70 achived the highest sensitivity and specificity respectively when single marker was analyzed. The sensitivity and specificity were 94. 4% and 95. 0%respectively when 4 markers was combined for analysis. Conclusion Detection of serum anti-Rbo-GDI-2,anti-HSP70, anti-CK19 and anti-IAP3 auotantibedios by ELISA may be of help in the screening and diagnosis for NPC.