The expression of RoTat 1.2 variable surface glycoprotein (VSG) in Trypanosoma evansi and T. equiperdum

In order to define whether the variable antigenic type RoTat 1.2 is restricted to Trypansoma evansi and could be used as antigen in serological tests to differentiate T. evansi from Trypansoma equiperdum, the appearance of RoTat 1.2-specific antibodies in rabbits, experimentally infected with T. evansi and T. equiperdum, respectively, was analyzed. Ten strains of T. evansi and 11 strains of T. equiperdum originating from Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America were tested. Rabbit pre-infection sera and sera of days 7, 14, 25, 35 post-infection (p.i.) were analyzed for the presence of antibodies reactive with RoTat 1.2 in immune trypanolysis, ELISA/T. evansi and CATT/T. evansi. Within the duration of the infection (maximum 35 days), all T. evansi as well as 9 out of 11 T. equiperdum infected rabbits became positive in all these tests. The rabbits infected with T. equiperdum OVI (South Africa) and BoTat 1.1 (Morocco) remained negative in the immune trypanolysis test although the latter rabbit became positive in the CATT/T. evansi and ELISA/T. evansi. On the contrary, both rabbits were positive in immune trypanolysis when tested against their respective infecting population. From these data, we conclude that most T. equiperdum strains express isoVATs of RoTat 1.2. This explains, in part, why antibody tests based on T. evansi RoTat 1.2 cannot reliably distinguish between infections caused by T. evansi and those caused by T. equiperdum unless it can be proven that most described T. equiperdum are actually misclassified T. evansi.     

PCR amplification of RoTat 1.2 VSG gene in Trypanosoma evansi isolates in Kenya

A direct card agglutination test for Trypanosoma evansi, CATT/T. evansi based on the predominant variable antigen-type (pVAT) RoTat 1.2 was evaluated previously in the field in Isiolo District, Kenya. Sixteen out of 51 (31.4%) parasitologically positive camels were negative by the antibody detection test. In the present study, trypanosomes isolated from the camels were analysed in an attempt to determine the cause of the false negative results of CATT/T. evansi. A total of 20 field isolates comprised 16 stocks from camels that were negative by CATT/T. evansi, and 4 from CATT/T. evansi-positive camels. In addition, 15 known T. evansi and four T. brucei were used as reference. Purified DNA samples were tested using an established RoTat 1.2-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that yields a 488 bp product for the specific detection of T. evansi. Antibodies to RoTat 1.2 variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) were used in Western blotting to detect RoTat 1.2 VSG linear epitopes. Results of PCR and Western blot showed that the 16 stocks isolated from CATT/T. evansi-negative camels fell into three groups. In Group 1, both the RoTat 1.2 VSG gene and the VSG were absent in three stocks. In five trypanosome stocks in Group 2, the RoTat 1.2 VSG gene was detected, but Western blot was negative indicating absence of the expressed VSG. Five other stocks containing the RoTat 1.2 VSG gene were also in this group. The RoTat 1.2 VSG gene was detected and Western blot was positive in all four trypanosome stocks in Group 3. All four stocks from CATT/T. evansi-positive camels contained the RoTat 1.2 VSG gene and the expressed VSG. The reference T. evansi KETRI 2479 lacked the RoTat 1.2 VSG gene and there was no immune reactivity detected by Western blot. The rest of the reference T. evansi stocks examined contained the RoTat 1.2 VSG gene. All the four T. brucei samples examined were negative by PCR and Western blot. In conclusion, this study showed that the RoTat 1.2 VSG gene was absent from some T. evansi trypanosomes in Kenya.     

Identification of the surface components of Trypanosoma evansi.

125I-labelling was used to characterise the surface components of five stocks of Trypanosoma evansi. Two components of 67 and 60.5 kD were labelled in two of the stocks, a single 60.5 kD component in two other stocks and no components in the remaining stock. These differences are probably related to the labelling method and biochemical differences between the stocks.     

牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒gD蛋白的截短表达与活性检测

经生物学软件DNAStar分析,以牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒(Banha Nu/67)基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增gD基因943bp的片段,将目的片段定向克隆到pET30a表达载体中,酶切及测序鉴定均正确后,转化BL21表达菌,经IPTG诱导得到部分可溶表达的重组蛋白。用Ni柱亲和层析法在非变性的条件下纯化重组蛋白,纯化的重组蛋白浓度为0.852mg/mL,纯度为85.2%。Westem blot、间接ELISA检测证明纯化的重组蛋白具有良好的抗原性和特异性。     

流行性乙型脑炎病毒E蛋白的截短表达与间接ELISA诊断方法的建立

为建立一种快速检测流行性乙型脑炎病毒抗体的方法,本研究参照已发表的JEV基因组序列,应用RT-PCR扩增了长约1000bp的E基因片段,连接pET30a表达载体中,经诱导后获得了以包涵体形式表达的重组E蛋白。重组蛋白纯化后,经免疫印迹检测证明其具有良好的抗原性和特异性。以该蛋白作为诊断抗原,建立了检测流行性乙型脑炎病毒抗体的E-ELISA诊断方法。该诊断方法具有良好的敏感性、特异性和重复性,为JEV的快速诊断、免疫猪群抗体监测和JEV流行病学调查提供了一种快速、简便的血清学诊断方法。     

马立克氏病病毒囊膜粘蛋白B基因原核细胞表达产物单克隆抗体的制备

用大肠杆菌BL21表达了马立克氏病病毒（MDV）强毒GA株的囊膜糖蛋白B（gB）基因，通过SDS－PAGE电泳分离表达蛋白条带，切下并碾碎后作为免疫原制备单克隆抗体。通过ELISA和间接免疫荧光试验（IFA），得到1株阳性单克隆抗体杂交瘤细胞株7C8。该单抗腹水的ELISA效价为1：2^12，IFA效价为1：800，与MDV不同致病型毒株CVI988、GA、RB1B、MD11、648A株感染的鸡胚成纤维细胞（CEF）均呈IFA阳性。1：100稀释时与GA株感染的CEF在斑点酶联免疫吸附试验（dot-ELISA)中呈阳性。     

马立克氏病病毒囊膜糖蛋白B基因原核细胞表达产物单克隆抗体的制备

用大肠杆菌 BL2 1表达了马立克氏病病毒 (MDV)强毒 GA株的囊膜糖蛋白 B(g B)基因 ,通过 SDS- PAGE电泳分离表达蛋白条带 ,切下并碾碎后作为免疫原制备单克隆抗体。通过 EL ISA和间接免疫荧光试验 (IFA) ,得到 1株阳性单克隆抗体杂交瘤细胞株 7C8。该单抗腹水的 EL ISA效价为 1∶ 2 1 2 ,IFA效价为 1∶ 80 0 ,与 MDV不同致病型毒株CVI988、GA、RB1B、MD11、6 48A株感染的鸡胚成纤维细胞 (CEF)均呈 IFA阳性。1∶ 10 0稀释时与 GA株感染的 CEF在斑点酶联免疫吸附试验 (dot- EL ISA)中呈阳性。     

Evaluation of the card agglutination test (CATT/T. evansi) for detection of Trypanosoma evansi infection in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Egypt

A card agglutination test (CATT/T. evansi) was evaluated for detection of antibodies against Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) in experimentally and naturally infected buffaloes. Four calves were inoculated with a strain of T. evansi isolated from a dromedary camel. Parasitological examination of the calves revealed trypanosomes in the blood from days 4 to 9 post-inoculation (PI). General emaciation appeared from day 26 PI and aggravated until the end of the experiment (day 88 PI). Antibodies against T. evansi were detectable from day 8 PI till the end of the experiment. Parasitological examination of 200 water buffalo blood samples obtained from slaughterhouses revealed negative results. Serological examination of these animals showed that 48 (24%) water buffaloes had anti-T. evansi antibodies.     

General expression of RoTat 1.2 variable antigen type in Trypanosoma evansi isolates from different origin

The variable surface glycoprotein of Trypanosoma evansi RoTat 1.2 variable antigen type (VAT) is used as an antigen in different antibody detection assays for T. evansi. To obtain more information on the predominant character of RoTat 1.2 and its diagnostic potential in antibody detection tests, we checked its expression in 10 different T. evansi stocks and clones from different parts of the world. Cryostabilates were injected into mice and the trypanosomes of the first peak parasitaemia were screened for the presence of RoTat 1.2 by VAT specific immunofluorescence. To monitor the appearance of RoTat 1.2 specific antibodies during infection, rabbits were infected and serologically tested at different time intervals with VAT specific immune trypanolysis, CATT/T. evansi, LATEX/T. evansi and ELISA/T. evansi.Test results confirm the predominant character of RoTat 1.2.     

猪流行腹泻病毒N蛋白表达与PPA-ELISA抗体检测方法的建立

为建立一种快速的猪流行性腹泻病毒抗体检测方法,本研究参照已发表的猪流行性腹泻病毒(PEDV)N基因序列,RT-PCR扩增了长约1 300 bp的N基因片段,连接pET30a表达载体后获得了以可溶性形式表达的重组N蛋白.重组蛋白纯化后,经免疫印迹检测证明具有良好的抗原性和特异性.以该蛋白作为诊断抗原,建立检测PEDV抗体的PPA-ELISA诊断方法.该诊断方法具有良好的敏感性、特异性和重复性,为PEDV的快速诊断、免疫猪群抗体监测和PEDV流行病学调查提供了一种快速、简便的血清学诊断方法.     

The efficacy of berenil (diminazene aceturate) against Trypanosoma evansi infection in mice

The efficacy of berenil (diminazene aceturate) was studied in experimental Trypanosoma evansi infection in albino mice. The criteria used for the assessment of the anti-trypanosomal effect of berenil included the examination of the blood and tissues for T. evansi and the clinical, pathological and enzyme histochemical changes seen in the lungs, heart, liver, kidney and spleen at intervals after treatment. Single doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg of berenil given intraperitoneally or intramuscularly to infected mice produced a complete elimination of the protozoon and caused a slow tissue recovery mirrored in the persistence of lesions in different organs. Single doses of 3.5 mg/kg of berenil were less effective and none of the three dose levels of the drug used induced toxic effects in albino mice.     

Detection of Trypanosoma evansi in camels using PCR and CATT/T. evansi tests in Kenya

Camel trypanosomosis (Surra) causes high morbidity and is an impediment to the camel husbandry in Kenya. The lack of a sensitive diagnostic test has hindered the collection of accurate epidemiological data and institution of control programmes. A cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts of Kenya to estimate the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) and to compare four diagnostic tests: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), card agglutination test (CATT/T. evansi), microhaematocrit centrifugation technique (MHCT) and mouse inoculation (MI). A total of 549 camels were randomly sampled. The overall prevalence of Surra was 5.3% using MHCT, 26.6% using PCR and 45.9% using CATT/T.evansi. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between PCR and CATT/T.evansi test, MHCT and MI in detection of T. evansi. The prevalence of T. evansi was 39.8% in Samburu, 24.7% in Nanyuki and 14.4% in Isiolo districts using PCR. A male camel was 2.6 times more likely to be infected with T. evansi compared to a female camel (OR = 3.0% CI: 1.6, 4.1), while an adult camel was 2.2 times more likely to be infected compared to non-adults (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2, 5.0). There was a poor association between the presence of the published clinical signs and seropositivity (kappa = 0.12), PCR (kappa = 0.11) and MHCT (kappa = 0.05). However, there was a higher agreement between farmers' classification of disease with the PCR test (kappa = 0.5, n = 61). The mean PCV varied with age, presence of infection, locality and gender, with the lowest mean PCV being recorded in MHCT-positive animals (20.97 +/- 0.5) and from infected calves (19.5 +/- 1.2). This study shows that PCR was more sensitive in detecting T. evansi than other tests used. Further, the prevalence of T. evansi in the camel herds sampled is higher than that previously reported in Kenya, and that the judgment by camel keepers may be a reliable "pen-side" diagnostic test for Surra. Considering the low sensitivity of parasitological techniques in detection of chronic T. evansi infection and high cost of PCR, development of a sensitive pen side diagnostic test, with a low cost is still a priority.     

Characterization of Trypanosoma (Trypanozoon) evansi from dromedary camels in Kuwait by isoenzyme electrophoresis

Blood from 115 camels in Kuwait was examined for blood parasites. Two camels of a local herd (1.7%) were found to be infected with Trypanosoma (Trypanozoon) evansi and three camels (2.6%) with microfilarial nematodes. The Trypanosoma stocks isolated from these two camels were screened for isoenzyme patterns of 10 enzymes using thin-layer starch-gel electrophoresis. The results revealed that these two stocks were identical to camel stocks of T. evansi from certain countries in Africa, as well as to two stocks isolated from dogs in Kuwait. This is the first record of Trypanosoma (Trypanozoon) evansi isolates and microfilariae from camels in Kuwait.     

Serum proteins in guinea-pigs and horses infected with Trypanosoma evansi (Steel, 1885)

The serum protein pattern in guinea-pigs infected with T. evansi was analysed and compared with those found in horses with either a natural or experimental infection. In both species, a highly significant decrease in albumin levels and an increase in gamma-globulins were seen, leading to a very low albumin/globulin ratio. No significant differences in total protein levels between healthy and infected animals were registered. Likewise, alpha-globulins were not significantly affected. A decrease in beta-globulins was observed in one horse and in guinea-pigs with experimental infection, while in horses with natural infections this decrease was not constant. The serum protein patterns in guinea-pigs infected with T. evansi appeared similar to those occurring in horses infected with this parasite. Guinea-pigs, therefore may be useful laboratory models for the study of equine trypanosomosis caused by T. evansi.     

Genetic diversity of Trypanosoma evansi in buffalo based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions

The nucleotide sequences of 18S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were used for studying the relationships of Trypanosoma evansi isolate from a buffalo. The sequences were analyzed and compared to 18S rDNA and the ITS regions of the other Trypanosoma spp. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed using Leishmania major as the outgroup. The tree of 18S rDNA indicated that T. evansi (buffalo B18) isolate was closely related to those of Taiwan and T. brucei stock. The ITS tree showed the genetic diversity among 32 clones of T. evansi (B18) within a single host. This data will be useful for epidemiological and dynamic studies for designing the rational control programs of the disease.     

Hematological and biochemical changes in water buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis) infected with Trypanosoma evansi

Four water buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis) were each inoculated intravenously with 10(6)T. evansi (camel isolate) and the fifth calf kept as non-infected control. The blood and sera of all calves were examined every 4 days during the first month post-inoculation (pi) and then once weekly until the end of the experiment (88 days pi). They were examined for hematological and biochemical changes, liver and kidney function tests. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb%), packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood cell count were significantly decreased. Total leucocytic count, lymphocytes and monocytes showed significant increase. Liver function tests revealed significant elevation in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (LDH), globulin, total biliruben and indirect biliruben while alkaline phosphatase enzyme showed significant decrease. Kidney function tests revealed significant decrease of both creatinine and urea.     

The effects of experimental Trypanosoma (trypanozoon) (brucei) evansi infection on the fertility of male goats

The effects on the fertility of small East African male goats of intravenous infection with Trypanosoma (t) (b) evansi were studied. Six infected bucks developed erratic, low but persistent parasitaemia, the packed cell volume dropped gradually but significantly (p<0.001) and they became emanciated. Half of these bucks developed clinical orchitis. Two bucks died of the disease during the experiment.Semen from all the infected bucks deteriorated in quality and quantity and those with clinical orchitis became totally aspermic. Spermatozoal abnormalities and the number of dead spermatozoa rose significantly. Later in the disease, the testicles of the infected bucks atrophied. Histologically, the testicles from the infected animals became devoid of spermatozoa, the testicular blood vessels contained microthrombi and there was infiltration of inflammatory cells. Subsequently, diffuse calcification set in, with calcium deposits obliterating most of the seminiferous vesicles and ducts and also the epididymal ducts.     

猪圆环病毒2型Cap蛋白的截短表达与活性检测

本研究参照已发表的PCV2基因组序列,设计合成1对特异性引物,以PCV2基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增了长约480 bp的ORF2基因片段。将目的片段定向克隆到pGEX-6p-1原核表达载体,酶切及测序鉴定正确后,转化BL21(DE3)表达菌,经IPTG诱导得到了以包涵体形式表达的重组蛋白。采用亲和层析法在变性的条件下纯化重组蛋白,纯化的重组蛋白浓度为0.396 mg/mL。纯化蛋白经免疫印迹、间接ELISA检测证明具有良好的抗原性和特异性。