Detection of the schistosome circulating cathodic antigen by enzyme immunoassay using biotinylated monoclonal antibodies

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1990 Nov-Dec;84(6):815-8. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(90)90094-u.

Abstract

We have developed an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) for the quantification of the schistosome circulating cathodic antigen (CCA), a glycoprotein associated with the syncitium lining the gut of the parasite. A mouse monoclonal antibody of IgG3 isotype was used as coating (antigen-capture) antibody, while a biotinylated mouse monoclonal IgM was used as second (antigen-detecting) antibody. Streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase was used as enzyme label. The lower detection limit of the assay was 1.0 ng of the trichloroacetic acid soluble fraction of adult worm antigen (AWA-TCA) per ml, which corresponds to approximately 0.2 ng CCA per ml. The ELISA showed a linear range from 1.0 to 62.5 ng AWA-TCA per ml. Serum and urine samples of 16 individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni (egg counts ranging from 5 to 4820 eggs per gram of faeces) were tested in the assay. Antigen titres ranged from less than 4-8192. This assay represents a considerable advantage in diagnosis of Schistosoma infections as it allows the detection and quantification of CCA in serum and urine in even lightly infected individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Antigens, Helminth / analysis*
  • Biotin
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Glycoproteins / analysis*
  • Helminth Proteins / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Schistosoma mansoni / immunology*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / diagnosis*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Helminth
  • CCA protein, Schistosoma mansoni
  • Glycoproteins
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Biotin