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Electronic Journal of Biotechnology
Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
ISSN: 0717-3458
Vol. 29, No. 1, 2017, pp. 57-62
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Bioline Code: ej17063
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 29, No. 1, 2017, pp. 57-62
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Application of a single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibody for the confirmatory diagnosis of hydatid disease in non-endemic areas
Xu, Xiaobo; Zhang, Ruiqing & Chen, Xinhua
Abstract
Background: Hydatid disease is a serious parasitic disease threatening public health. Because of its rarity in
non-endemic coastal areas, determining the nature and origin of a chronic, enlarged liver cystic mass is
challenging in these regions. Under these circumstances, physicians need a confirmatory diagnostic tool
beyond immunological and radiological examinations. This study investigated a novel human single-chain
fragment variable (scFv) antibody for the confirmative diagnosis of 18 atypical hydatid disease cases in
non-endemic coastal areas.
Results: A scFv antibody against cystic echinococcosis was produced by genetic engineering and then applied to
the immunohistochemical diagnosis of 18 cases of cystic echinococcosis presented in non-endemic coastal areas.
The diagnosis of these cases by ultrasound and serum-based examinations was inconclusive. The 750 bp scFv
antibody gene was expressed in COS-7 cells, and the antibody localized in the cytoplasm. The scFv antibody
can detect the germinal layer and protoscolices of actively growing cysts but not of the degenerating
protoscolices and has a diagnostic efficiency higher than that of single serum or ultrasound testing (P < 0.05).
The combined use of scFv antibodies with serology and ultrasound diagnostics results in a diagnostic efficiency
comparable to that of surgery. The scFv antibody can be used as a confirmatory test for the diagnosis of
hydatid disease in non-endemic areas, providing a beneficial supplementary diagnostic method that
complements traditional immune testing and ultrasonic radiology and thus helping physicians to effectively
differentiate hydatid disease.
Keywords
COS cells; Cysts; Echinococcosis; Hepatomegaly; Liver cyst; Novel human scFv antibody; Parasitic disease; Public health; Single-chain antibodies
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