[Specific humoral response in Balb/c mice inoculated with a genome library of expression of Trypanosoma cruzi]. / Respuesta humoral específica en ratones Balb/c inoculados con una librería genómica de expresión de Trypanosoma cruzi.

A genomic expression library of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) was made using plasmid pcDNA3 as a vector, with which male mice from the Balb/c isogenic line were intramuscullary inoculated. It was used a positive control group that was administered soluble antigens of T. cruzi. Other 2 groups received genomic and plasmid DNA, respectively. One group was not immunized. Weekly blood samples were obtained from all the animals until the fourth week and 2 weeks after reimmunization to study the response of specific antibodies against the microorganism antigens by an indirect immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA). It was observed a significant increase of specific antibodies in the animals reimmunized with 50 micrograms of the library, as well as in the group immunized with soluble antigens of T. cruzi.

[Cysteine-dependent protease in Trypanosoma cruzi useful for the diagnosis of Chagas disease]. / Proteasa dependiente de cisteína en Trypanosoma cruzi útil en el diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Chagas.

An immunoenzymatic system on solid phase for the detection of IgG antibodies in serum from chronic Chagasic patients was standardized. A protease from Trypanosoma cruzi (GP57/51KDa) was used as an antigen. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the procedure were calculated taking into account the results obtained from conventional serology (CS), indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), indirect hemagglutination (IHA) and complement-mediated lysis test (CML) for the detection of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in serum. Except one, the positive samples obtained by those techniques were also positive by our method. These results show that GP 57/51 is useful in the serodiagnosis of Chagas disease.

[The identification and isolation of Toxoplasma gondii antigens]. / Identificación y aislamiento de antígenos de Toxoplasma gondii.

It is know that 30% of AIDS patients may develop toxoplasmic encephalitis in an advanced stage of the disease. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of antigens to Toxoplasma gondii in the urine of patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus, group IV, who presenting with acute toxoplasmosis. These proteins were identified by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate in reduction conditions with the subsequent transfer to nitrocellulose sheets. Finally, they were isolated by affinity chromatography. Proteins with molecular weights nearly 66 and 61 KD were identified in the samples studied. Results obtained from this study highlights the presence of Toxoplasma gondii circulating antigens in patient presenting with AIDS and toxoplasmic encephalitis. The detection of these antigens in the urine of patients would be a very useful tool for the diagnosis of the acute infection by this protozoon.

[Several results of a Toxoplasma survey]. / Algunos resultados sobre una encuesta de Toxoplasma.

A pilot Toxoplasma survey was conduct in Ciego de Avila province during the month of September, 1985, to assess, in practice, the methodologic structure proposed for the National Toxoplasma Survey. Of the 292 listed individuals, 284 were surveyed during the field work phase (97.2%) and the remaining 2.8% of no response was due mainly to the fact that dwellers were not at home during the visit. The best day for this type of survey resulted to be Sunday, in the morning. No difficulty was noted with the used modelling, and results obtained in the application of used techniques and procedures are appropriate for use in the National Toxoplasma Survey. The prevalence rate of anti- Toxoplasma antibodies was 55.9%. There was a significant association between some risk factors such as: living with cats, ingestion of non potable water and ingestion of raw meat.

[Seroepidemiologic aspects of toxoplasmosis in 2 municipalities of the province of Ciego de Avila. September 1985]. / Aspectos seroepidemiológicos de la toxoplasmosis en 2 municipios de la provincia de Ciego de Avila. Septiembre de 1985.

A seroepidemiologic study of toxoplasmosis was made in Ciego de Avila province. By means of an ELISA for toxoplasma, blood samples from 284 people from the Ciego de Avila and Majagua districts were examined, for a 55.9% prevalence. An association with various factors, such as eating raw meat, contract with the earth, having cats at home, and rural origin with the occurrence of infection. 89.3% of positive sera ranged from 1:400 to 1:800 which are low titers.