Synthetic peptides as an antigenic base in an ELISA for laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni.

A pool of five synthetic peptides was used as an antigenic base in an ELISA (ELISA-Pp) for laboratory diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni. Serum samples were obtained from individuals with acute (n=23) and chronic (n=30) schistosomiasis, with other parasitoses (n=39) or without parasitic infections (n=100). ELISA-Pp was compared with other immunoenzymatic methods for detection of IgM (IgM-ELISA) or IgG (IgG-ELISA) as well as an immunofluorescence test for detection of IgM antibodies (IgM-IFT). The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA-Pp was 86.8% and 94.2% when tested on the schistosomiasis group and the non-schistosomiasis group, respectively. Comparison of ELISA-Pp with other serological methods resulted in kappa concordance indices varying from 0.59 to 0.75. Evaluation of anti-peptide IgG antibodies showed higher levels in patients with acute compared with chronic schistosomiasis (P=0.001). ELISA-Pp showed satisfactory sensitivity and high specificity and may constitute a potentially useful method for laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni.

Predictors of adherence to latent tuberculosis infection therapy in Latino immigrants.

Adherence to Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) therapy is a continuing community problem. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictors of adherence to LTBI therapy in Latino immigrants at a public health clinic. A descriptive study was conducted to examine 153 randomly selected records from a population of Latino immigrant clients who had received a recommendation for 9 months of Isoniazid (INH) therapy. Most of the clients were women (64%), the mean age was 26.1, and the mean time in the U.S. was 4.58 years. The majority came from El Salvador, Bolivia, or Guatemala. Adherence dropped off in a linear fashion from month 1 (84%) to month 8 (34%). None of the demographic factors predicted adherence. Implications for community health nursing are discussed.

Application of synthetic peptides in development of a serologic method for laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni

The immunoreactivity of seven peptides synthesized from Schistosoma mansoni proteins, was evaluated by dot-blot and ELISA assays using two different sensitization methodologies. The best results were obtained on wells of the Costar 3590 microplates coated with peptides P1, P2, P3, P6, and P7 using conventional methodology. The signals increased considerably (p < 0.0003) on wells sensitized with P1 to P6 using alternative methodology. In contrast, the well coated with peptide P7 presented lower signal when compared with conventional methodology (p = 0.0019). These results, establish the basis for the application of synthetic peptides for laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni.

Application of synthetic peptides in development of a serologic method for laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni.

The immunoreactivity of seven peptides synthesized from Schistosoma mansoni proteins, was evaluated by dot-blot and ELISA assays using two different sensitization methodologies. The best results were obtained on wells of the Costar 3590 microplates coated with peptides P1, P2, P3, P6, and P7 using conventional methodology. The signals increased considerably (p < 0.0003) on wells sensitized with P1 to P6 using alternative methodology. In contrast, the well coated with peptide P7 presented lower signal when compared with conventional methodology (p = 0.0019). These results, establish the basis for the application of synthetic peptides for laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni.

Latino immigrants' knowledge of tuberculosis.

This study examined tuberculosis (TB) knowledge in Latino immigrants receiving latent TB infection (LTBI) therapy. The study design was descriptive correlational. Knowledge was measured using the LTBI Knowledge Instrument. The convenience sample included 82 Latino immigrants primarily from Central America and Bolivia who attended a public health clinic for their LTBI therapy. The mean TB knowledge score was 66%. Knowledge scores were correlated with years of education, but not with age or number of years in the United States. More than 80% of study participants correctly answered questions about the importance of keeping monthly appointments and how Isoniazid works to eradicate TB germs in the human body. Questions that pertained to the contagiousness of active TB and how the disease spreads received the most incorrect responses. Public health nursing interventions should focus on increasing Latino immigrants' knowledge of TB, both in public health clinics and in the community.

Extração de DNA de coágulo sanguíneo humano como método alternativo para estudos de genotipagem / DNA extraction from clotted human blood as a alternative method for genotyping studies

Foi otimizado um método de extração de DNA de coágulo sangüíneo. Amostras de sangue total colhidas em EDTA e de coágulo foram obtidas de 10 indivíduos não aparentados. Os coágulos foram homogeneizados (sistema Potter-Elvelyn NSE-11R). O DNA foi extraído pelo método de precipitação salina modificado (Clin.Chem.42-S298,1996). A quantificação e a pureza do DNA foram realizadas por espectrofotometria em 260 e 280 nm, sendo a sua integridade verificada por eletroforese em gel de agarose. A qualidade do DNA foi avaliada por amplificação da região polimórfica Ava II do gene do receptor da LDL, por PCR. A quantidade de DNA de coágulo foi semelhante a de sangue total (61,5 ± 11,9 e 60,6 ± 12,6 mg/ml de sangue, respectivamente). A pureza do DNA de coágulo foi semelhante a de sangue total (A260/280=1,87 ± 0,19 e 1,96 ± 0,17, respectivamente). As amostras de DNA apresentaram-se intactas no gel de agarose e sem contaminação com RNA. O rendimento do DNA obtido por este método dói maior que o dos descritos em outros estudos e mostrou-se adequado para análise do polimorfismo genético do receptor da LDL. Portanto, o procedimento de extração de DNA, otimizado em nosso laboratório, é simples, rápido e aplicável para obtenção de DNA de alta qualidade de amostras de coágulo sangüíneo, sendo útil em estudos de genotipagem.