Monoclonal Antibodies Production Against a 40KDa Band of Hydatid Cyst Fluid.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hydatid cyst is the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Hydatid cyst fluid, cyst membrane and Protoscolices, contain a complex mixture of antigens that can induce immune responses in the host. Anti-cancer properties of Protoscolices and hydatid cyst fluid has been shown. In order to identify antigens of hydatid cyst fluid that have anti-cancer effect, in this study production of monoclonal antibodies against one of the hydatid cyst fluid band (40KDa) has been investigated. There are many published patents about applications of monoclonal antibodies. METHODS: In this experimental study, 40KDa band of hydatid cyst fluid that has cross reaction with sera of patients with breast cancer was used as antigen. A group of mice were immunized with this antigen, and then their spleen cells were extracted and fused with SP2 cells. Monoclonal antibodies production was checked in wells with signs of cell growth using ELISA and western blotting. The reaction of the produced monoclonal antibodies with breast cancer cells was tested using flow cytometry method. Finally, effect of the monoclonal antibodies on growth of breast cancer cells was investigated in vitro. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that in the first plate antibody against 40KDa was detected in several wells. In the second plate monoclonal antibodies with high titer was detected in one well. The produced monoclonal antibodies reacted with the surface of breast cancer cells. However, they had no significant effect on growth of breast cancer cells in culture medium. CONCLUSION: Monoclonal antibodies against hydatid cyst fluid 40KDa band were produced. These antibodies reacted with the surface of breast cancer cells but had no significant effect on growth of these cells.

Development of a Latex Agglutination Test as a Simple and Rapid Method for Diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis Infection.

Trichomoniasis is a worldwide infection and due to its complications rapid and accurate diagnosis of infection especially in pregnant women is very important. In this study, development of a latex agglutination test using native antigens for rapid diagnosis of trichomoniasis is investigated. Trichomonas vaginalis was harvested from TYIS33 culture medium and anti Trichomonas vaginalis antiserum was raised in rabbits. Salt precipitation method was used for antibody purification. Polyesteren latex particles coated with purified antibody and used for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis. Clinical samples of vaginal discharge were collected from 500 women and examined for Trichomonas vaginalis by using wet mount, culture and latex agglutination tests. Sensitivity and specificity of latex test was determined considering culture as golden standard. Sensitivity and specificity of latex agglutination test was 100% and 81% and those of wet mount were 33.3% and 100%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values of latex agglutination test were 6% and 100%, respectively. Due to inconvenient sensitivity and specificity of the latex agglutination test developed in this study, further work is recommended to improve the test.