Heterophilic antibodies in sera from individuals without loxoscelism cross-react with phospholipase D from the venom of Loxosceles and Sicarius spiders

Loxoscelism is a severe human envenomation caused by Loxosceles spider venom. To the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated the presence of antibodies against Loxosceles venom in loxoscelism patients without treatment with antivenom immunotherapy. We perform a comparative analysis for the presence of antibodies capable of recognizing Loxosceles venom in a group of patients diagnosed with loxoscelism and in a group of people without loxoscelism. Methods The detection of L. laeta venom, Sicarius venom and recombinant phospholipases D from Loxosceles (PLDs) in sera from people with loxoscelism (Group 1) and from healthy people with no history of loxoscelism (Group 2) was evaluated using immuno-dot blot, indirect ELISA, and Western blot. Results We found naturally heterophilic antibodies (IgG-type) in people without contact with Loxosceles spiders or any clinical history of loxoscelism. Either serum pools or single sera from Group 1 and Group 2 analyzed by dot blot tested positive for L. laeta venom. Indirect ELISA for venom recognition showed titles of 1:320 for Group 1 sera and 1:160 for Group 2 sera. Total IgG quantification showed no difference in sera from both groups. Pooled sera and purified IgG from sera of both groups revealed venom proteins between 25 and 32 kDa and the recombinant phospholipase D isoform 1 (rLlPLD1), specifically. Moreover, heterophile antibodies cross-react with PLDs from other Loxosceles species and the venom of Sicarius spider. Conclusions People without contact with the spider venom produced heterophilic antibodies capable of generating a cross-reaction against the venom of L. laeta and Sicarius spiders. Their presence and possible interference should be considered in the development of immunoassays for Loxosceles venom detection.(AU)

Synergistic haemolytic activity and its correlation to phospholipase D productivity by Corynebacteruim pseudotuberculosis Egyptian isolates from sheep and buffaloes

Fourteen isolates of Corynebacteruim pseudotuberculosis of them 7 were isolated from sheep with Caseous Lymphadenitis "biotype 1" and 7 isolated from buffaloes with Oedematous Skin Disease "biotype 2". All isolates were identified by standard microbiological techniques and by polymerase chain reaction targeting, 16S rRNA and phospholipase D genes. Synergistic haemolytic titers of all isolates were assayed by plate technique. The presences of phospholipase D gene in supernatants of all isolates were performed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblot technique by using hyperimmune serum raised in rabbit immunized with recombinant phospholipase D gene antigen. The concentration of phospholipase D gene was assayed by scanning the bound phospholipase D gene with specific antibodies that appeared at 31.5 kDa. Results presented that there is no correlation between titer of Synergistic haemolytic activity and the actual phospholipase D genes concentration in culture supernatants. Also results presented that Synergistic haemolytic activity and phospholipase D genes produced by biotype 2 (buffalo isolates) was generally higher than those by biotype 1(sheep isolates).

Enterolobin, a hemolytic protein from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds (Leguminosae - Mimosoideae): purification and characterization

Hemolytic and phospholipase D activities were found in the saline extract of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds. The hemolytic activity is due to a protein which was named enterolobin. This protein was highly purified by extraction with 0.15 M NaCl, precipitation with ammonium sulphate from 0 to 33% of highly purified by extraction with 0.15 M NaCl, precipitation with ammonium sulphate from 0 to 33% of saturation, batch separation by adsorption on DEASE - cellulose and gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-100 or G-150. In the batch separation the fraction showing hemolytic activity was not adsorbed by the resin while the fraction with phospholipase activity was. In this manner it was shown that those two activities were due to different proteins. Mouse erythrocytes were less susceptible to hemolysis by enterolobin than human and rabbit erythrocytes. The hemolytic activity was rapidly lost at or above 55§C and in extreme acid (1.6) and basic (10.8) pHs. The following characteristics of purified enterolobin were determined: molecular weights of 55.000 D (by SDS-PAGE), 59.800 D (by gel filtration) and 51.300 D (by HPLC); pI=7,0; Gln as the N-terminal amino acid residue; high levels of Asp(Asx), Glu(Glx), Ser and Thr residues and low levels of Cys and Met residues. Similarities were noticed between enterolobin and crotin, a hemolytic protein of Croton tiglium seeds