Immunochemistry of Parasitic Diseases

Nash, T E.

Abstract

Studies are being performed on three parasitic parasites: schistosomes, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. Nine more isolates of Giardia have been axenized and their DNA, surface antigens, and biologic behavior are being studied. Although still incomplete, these studies, thus far, confirm the large heterogeneity noted among the previously studied 15 isolates. Monoclonal antibodies to a 170,000 Kd major surface antigen of WB and WB-like isolates were produced. These monoclonal antibodies are specific for the WB-type of isolate and are cytotoxic to these organisms. In order to study biological importance and differences between isolates, a model infection of Giardia in jirds was established. Isolates differ in ability to invoke self cure, immunity and protection to challenge with heterologous isolates. An ELISA assay to measure antibody to Crytosporidium antibodies to oocysts was developed. IgG and/or IgM antibody responses in non-AIDS patients were practically always detected. IgG antibodies were found commonly in AIDS patients. In additon, IgG antibodies to Cryptosporidium were detected frequently in patients with other parasitic diseases suggesting that infection is common. A study evaluating the use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of Symmers' fibrosis in on-going in Khartoum, Sudan.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
• Type: Intramural Research (Z01)
• Project #: 1Z01AI000161-09
• Application #: 4688372
• Support Year: 9
• Fiscal Year: 1985

Institution

• Name: Niaid Extramural Activities
• Country: United States

Publications

Kulakova, Liudmila; Singer, Steven M; Conrad, John et al. (2006) Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the control of Giardia lamblia antigenic variation. Mol Microbiol 61:1533-42

Hayman, J Russell; Southern, Timothy R; Nash, Theodore E (2005) Role of sulfated glycans in adherence of the microsporidian Encephalitozoon intestinalis to host cells in vitro. Infect Immun 73:841-8

Elmendorf, Heidi G; Rohrer, Sally C; Khoury, Rasha S et al. (2005) Examination of a novel head-stalk protein family in Giardia lamblia characterised by the pairing of ankyrin repeats and coiled-coil domains. Int J Parasitol 35:1001-11

Touz, Maria C; Kulakova, Liudmila; Nash, Theodore E (2004) Adaptor protein complex 1 mediates the transport of lysosomal proteins from a Golgi-like organelle to peripheral vacuoles in the primitive eukaryote Giardia lamblia. Mol Biol Cell 15:3053-60

Worgall, Tilla S; Davis-Hayman, Sara R; Magana, Marissa M et al. (2004) Sterol and fatty acid regulatory pathways in a Giardia lamblia-derived promoter: evidence for SREBP as an ancient transcription factor. J Lipid Res 45:981-8

Zhou, Ping; Li, Erqiu; Zhu, Nannan et al. (2003) Role of interleukin-6 in the control of acute and chronic Giardia lamblia infections in mice. Infect Immun 71:1566-8

Hinshaw, Jerald C; Suh, Dae-Yeon; Garnier, Philippe et al. (2003) Oxidosqualene cyclase inhibitors as antimicrobial agents. J Med Chem 46:4240-3

Touz, Maria C; Lujan, Hugo D; Hayes, Stanley F et al. (2003) Sorting of encystation-specific cysteine protease to lysosome-like peripheral vacuoles in Giardia lamblia requires a conserved tyrosine-based motif. J Biol Chem 278:6420-6

Davis-Hayman, Sara R; Hayman, J Russell; Nash, Theodore E (2003) Encystation-specific regulation of the cyst wall protein 2 gene in Giardia lamblia by multiple cis-acting elements. Int J Parasitol 33:1005-12

Touz, Maria C; Nores, Maria J; Slavin, Ileana et al. (2002) The activity of a developmentally regulated cysteine proteinase is required for cyst wall formation in the primitive eukaryote Giardia lamblia. J Biol Chem 277:8474-81