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Background: Circumsporozoite protein (CSP) has a central immune domain that includes short regions of repeating amino acid sequences. This immunodynamic region is an epitope of B cells that can elicit an immune response in human and laboratory animals. The aim of the present study was to express the recombinant PvCSP-VK210 antigen and evaluate it for assaying antibodies obtained during human P. vivax infection by Western blotting and indirect ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Method: Genomic DNA of P. vivax was isolated from a blood sample of an Iranian person with vivax malaria, and by PCR, the fragment of the PvCSP-VK210 gene was amplified. The gene fragment was cut after gel purification by BamHI and HindIII enzymes and then cloned into pET28a expression vector. Finally, the recombinant pET28a was transformed into the E.coli BL21 (DE3) as the expression host. In order to produce His-tagged protein, the expression host was cultured in LB medium. The protein was purified by Ni–NTA columns and immobilized metal affinity chromatography, and after confirmation by Western blotting technique, was used as the antigen in the indirect ELISA test. Results: The recombinant protein was expressed and purified as a 32-kDa protein. The sensitivity and specificity of the indirect ELISA test with the recombinant PvCSP-VK210 antigen were 61.42% and 97.14%, respectively, based on OD = 0.313. Between the results of the microscopic test and the indirect ELISA test with the recombinant PvCSP-VK210 antigen there was a Kappa coefficient of 0.586. The positive and negative predictive value and validity of the ELISA test with the recombinant PvCSP-VK210 antigen were 95.55%, 71.57%, 79.28%, respectively. Conclusion: The sensitivity of the indirect ELISA method with the recombinant PvCSP-VK210 antigen was 61.42%, which is the first report from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in humans and warmblooded animals. In this study, we explored the risk factors and seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection among cancer patients and patients with blood cell disorders in Iran. We collected serum samples from each participant include 600 clinically healthy individuals, 127 patients with different types of cancer, 294 patients with red blood cell disorders, and 101 patients with white blood cell disorders and tested for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG and IgM) using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay kits and analyzed the results statistically. Out of the 1122 participants, seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis among all patients with different disorders, patients with white blood cell disorders, patients with red blood cell disorders and patients with different types of cancer 9.97%, 17.82%, 11.57% and 7.09% were reported respectiveiy. Awareness campaign to educate blood cell disorders patients regarding contact with pets is salient to the reduction of the Toxoplasma burden. In addition, it is pertinent to screen patients with cancers to rule out Toxoplasma infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In spite of the importance of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis among the high‐risk groups, such as pregnant women, the infections are categorized as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. infections can cause systemic and ocular diseases in infants during pregnancy. In this study, we investigated seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis, toxocariasis and their co‐infection in pregnant women and non‐pregnant women referred to the healthcare facilities of Ilam province, west of Iran. Methods: A total of 378 sera samples (189 pregnant women and 189 non‐pregnant women) was investigated for the presence of IgG antibodies against T. gondii and Toxocara spp. by Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The samples of all pregnant women with abortion (56 cases) were also evaluated for IgM anti‐toxoplasmosis antibody by ELISA method. Moreover, associated factors were obtained from the participant's questionnaires. Data analysis for this study was performed using the spss software version 20. Results: Seroprevalence of T. gondii, Toxocara spp., and their co‐infection in pregnant women was 39.7%, 21.2% and 9.5%, respectively. Regarding the risk factors, the contact with a cat (P = 0.04) and dog (P = 0.00) were significantly associated with T. gondii and Toxocara spp., respectively. Conclusion: This study highlighted the importance of serological diagnosis before pregnancy. Moreover, we believe that more epidemiological studies are needed for a better understanding of overlaps between T. gondii and Toxocara spp. in pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]