02381nas a2200301   4500000000100000008004100001260003700042653002400079653005700103653003200160653002200192100002600214700001100240700001400251700001800265700002100283700001500304700001200319700001400331700001400345700001600359700001200375245011500387856009900502490000700601520145700608022001402065       2023                            d  bPublic Library of Science (PLoS)10aInfectious Diseases10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health10aCystic echinococcosis (CE) 10aAntigen discovery1 aBatisti Biffignandi G1 aVola A1 aSassera D1 aNajafi-Fard S1 aGomez Morales MA1 aBrunetti E1 aTeggi A1 aGoletti D1 aPetrone L1 aTamarozzi F1 aZhang W00aAntigen discovery by bioinformatics analysis and peptide microarray for the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis  uhttps://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0011210&type=printable0 v173 a<p><strong>Background:</strong> Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, is a neglected zoonosis. Its diagnosis relies on imaging, supported by serology, while only imaging is useful for staging and follow-up. Since diagnostic tools and expertise are not widely available, new accurate and easily implementable assays for the diagnosis and follow-up of CE are highly needed.</p>

<p><strong>Methodology/Principal Findings:</strong> We aimed to identify new E. granulosus antigens through a bioinformatics selection applied to the parasite genome, followed by peptide microarray screening and validation in ELISA, using independent panels of sera from patients with hepatic CE and clinically relevant controls. From 950 proteins selected in silico, 2,379 peptides were evaluated by microarray for IgG reactivity and eight candidates selected for validation. Reactivity to one peptide was significantly higher in the CE group (p = 0.044), but had suboptimal diagnostic accuracy.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions/Significance:</strong> Here we performed bioinformatics analysis and peptide microarray for antigen discovery, useful for the diagnosis of CE. Eight candidates were selected and validated. Reactivity to one peptide associated to CE but had suboptimal diagnostic accuracy. Importantly, the database developed in this study may be used to identify other antigenic candidates for CE diagnosis and follow-up.</p>
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