Screening of a library of recombinant Schistosoma mansoni proteins with sera from murine and human controlled infections identifies early serological markers.

Cécile Crosnier, Cornelis H Hokke, Anna V Protasio, Cordelia Brandt, Gabriel Rinaldi, Marijke C C Langenberg, Simon Clare, Jacqueline J Janse, Shona Wilson, Matthew Berriman, Meta Roestenberg, Gavin J Wright

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a major global health problem caused by blood-dwelling parasitic worms, which is currently tackled primarily by mass administration of the drug praziquantel. Appropriate drug treatment strategies are informed by diagnostics that establish the prevalence and intensity of infection, which, in regions of low transmission, should be highly sensitive. To identify sensitive new serological markers of Schistosoma mansoni infections, we have compiled a recombinant protein library of parasite cell-surface and secreted proteins expressed in mammalian cells. Together with a time series of sera samples from volunteers experimentally infected with a defined number of male parasites, we probed this protein library to identify several markers that can detect primary infections with as low as ten parasites and as early as five weeks post infection. These new markers could be further explored as valuable tools to detect ongoing and previous S. mansoni infections, including in endemic regions where transmission is low. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1435-1446
Number of pages12
JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume225
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jun 2020

Bibliographical note

© The Author(s) 2020

Keywords

  • parasites and microbes
  • staffpaper

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