ROTADIAL: The first nanobody-based immunoassay to detect Group A Rotavirus.

ROTADIAL is a rapid nanobody (Nb)-based ELISA assay able to identify Rotavirus group A (RVA) in feces from pediatric patients. The assay is based on a sandwich of two patented llama-derived Nbs directed to the inner capsid viral protein VP6 from RVA. Nbs are directed to conformational epitopes of VP6 and recognized all human RVA strains tested, representing ideal reagents for their use in immunodiagnostic tests for RVA detection.

A novel neutralization sensitive and subdominant RAP-1-related antigen (RRA) is expressed by Babesia bovis merozoites.

Objective: The Babesia bovis genome encodes a rap-1 related gene denominated RAP-1 related antigen (RRA). In this study, we analysed the pattern of expression, immunogenicity and functional relevance of RRA.

Methods: Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the program Phylip.

Development of fluorogenic probe-based PCR assays for the detection and quantification of bovine piroplasmids.

This paper reports two new quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, developed in an attempt to improve the detection of bovine piroplasmids. The first of these techniques is a duplex TaqMan assay for the simultaneous diagnosis of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina.

Development of an indirect ELISA for the diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis.

An indirect ELISA (iELISA) for the detection of specific anti-Theileria equi antibodies in horse serum was developed. Its performance showed good concordance (K= 0.79) when compared with a competitive ELISA recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Water Buffalos as carriers of Babesia bovis in Argentina.

The tick-transmitted hemoprotozoan Babesia bovis is a major causative agent of bovine babesiosis, an often fatal disease of cattle. The disease is widespread in the northeastern region of Argentina, where an increasing part of the livestock is composed of water buffalos. Although clinical cases of buffalo babesiosis have not been reported so far, the pathogen-transmitting tick vector has been occasionally observed by us to be feeding on water buffalos.