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A genomic expression library of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) was made using plasmid pcDNA3 as a vector, with which male mice from the Balb/c isogenic line were intramuscullary inoculated. It was used a positive control group that was administered soluble antigens of T. cruzi. Other 2 groups received genomic and plasmid DNA, respectively. One group was not immunized. Weekly blood samples were obtained from all the animals until the fourth week and 2 weeks after reimmunization to study the response of specific antibodies against the microorganism antigens by an indirect immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA). It was observed a significant increase of specific antibodies in the animals reimmunized with 50 micrograms of the library, as well as in the group immunized with soluble antigens of T. cruzi. more...

An immunoenzymatic system on solid phase for the detection of IgG antibodies in serum from chronic Chagasic patients was standardized. A protease from Trypanosoma cruzi (GP57/51KDa) was used as an antigen. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the procedure were calculated taking into account the results obtained from conventional serology (CS), indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), indirect hemagglutination (IHA) and complement-mediated lysis test (CML) for the detection of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in serum. Except one, the positive samples obtained by those techniques were also positive by our method. These results show that GP 57/51 is useful in the serodiagnosis of Chagas disease. more...

The utilization of a coagglutination technique for the identification of a human source for feeding mosquitoes is described. The dilution of ingested blood samples in filter paper was performed in 2 mL of a sodium chloride solution at 0.85%. It was used a suspension of sensibilized Staphylococcus aureus with rabbit's serum, human plasmatic anti-proteins, and human anti-IgG rabbit's serum discriminated well between human and non human blood. No agglutination was observed with the negative control. This technique proved to be sensitive to identify 100% of the human blood samples taken to the paper 24 hours after the mosquitoes completed their feeding at a temperature of 26 to 28 degrees C. Among mosquitoes fed and collected in the fields the test had a satisfactory result. Therefore, it may be used in routine work in the fields. The results showed the sensitivity and specificity of this method for identifying human blood ingested by mosquitoes. more...

A specific monoclonal antibody was characterized to Toxoplasma gondii. The hybridoma produced IgG immunoglobulins. The western blot analysis showed that the monoclonal antibody was specific for the antigen of an apparent molecular mass of 30 kd, which was present on the antigen surface. The monoclonal antibody was purified starting from mouse's ascitic fluid and it was matched with sepharose 4B. This immunoabsorbent was used to purify the specific parasitic antigen. The monoclonal antibody studied may be useful for those techniques contributing to the toxoplasmosis diagnosis. more...

It is know that 30% of AIDS patients may develop toxoplasmic encephalitis in an advanced stage of the disease. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of antigens to Toxoplasma gondii in the urine of patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus, group IV, who presenting with acute toxoplasmosis. These proteins were identified by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate in reduction conditions with the subsequent transfer to nitrocellulose sheets. Finally, they were isolated by affinity chromatography. Proteins with molecular weights nearly 66 and 61 KD were identified in the samples studied. Results obtained from this study highlights the presence of Toxoplasma gondii circulating antigens in patient presenting with AIDS and toxoplasmic encephalitis. The detection of these antigens in the urine of patients would be a very useful tool for the diagnosis of the acute infection by this protozoon. more...

A national seroepidemiological survey was carried out to assess the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. 8863 samples taken in filter paper through the ELISA test were analyzed and 29.70% positivity was obtained. No significant differences were found regarding sex. Seropositivity increased with age, up to the 20-29 age group, with a stable behavior in over-29-year age groups. The highest percentage of annual change was registered in the 5-9 age group (1.62%). This parameter reached 0.93% in the women's 25-29 age group. more...

A seroepidemiologic study of toxoplasmosis was made in Ciego de Avila province. By means of an ELISA for toxoplasma, blood samples from 284 people from the Ciego de Avila and Majagua districts were examined, for a 55.9% prevalence. An association with various factors, such as eating raw meat, contract with the earth, having cats at home, and rural origin with the occurrence of infection. 89.3% of positive sera ranged from 1:400 to 1:800 which are low titers. more...