Secretome analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi by proteomics studies.

Background: Chagas disease is a debilitating often fatal disease resulting from infection by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagas disease is endemic in 21 countries of the Americas, and it is an emerging disease in other countries as a result of migration. Given the chronic nature of the infection where intracellular parasites persist for years, the diagnosis of T.

Easy identification of leishmania species by mass spectrometry.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by several Leishmania species that are associated with variable outcomes before and after therapy. Optimal treatment decision is based on an accurate identification of the infecting species but current methods to type Leishmania isolates are relatively complex and/or slow. Therefore, the initial treatment decision is generally presumptive, the infecting species being suspected on epidemiological and clinical grounds.

Multilocus phylogeny and MALDI-TOF analysis of the plant pathogenic species Alternaria dauci and relatives.

The genus Alternaria includes numerous phytopathogenic species, many of which are economically relevant. Traditionally, identification has been based on morphology, but is often hampered by the tendency of some strains to become sterile in culture and by the existence of species-complexes of morphologically similar taxa. This study aimed to assess if strains of four closely-related plant pathogens, i.

A new vesicular scaffolding complex mediates the G-protein-coupled 5-HT1A receptor targeting to neuronal dendrites.

Although essential for their neuronal function, the molecular mechanisms underlying the dendritic targeting of serotonin G-protein-coupled receptors are poorly understood. Here, we characterized a Yif1B-dependent vesicular scaffolding complex mediating the intracellular traffic of the rat 5-HT(1A) receptor (5-HT(1A)R) toward dendrites. By combining directed mutagenesis, GST-pull down, and surface plasmon resonance, we identified a tribasic motif in the C-tail of the 5-HT(1A)R on which Yif1B binds directly with high affinity (K(D) ≈ 37 nM).

DIGE enables the detection of a putative serum biomarker of fungal origin in a mouse model of invasive aspergillosis.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a major threat for immunocompromised patients. Diagnostic difficulties often delay specific treatment initiation, which increases mortality. Finding new biomarkers to improve and speed accurate diagnosis is thus vital.

Secretome of human bronchial epithelial cells in response to the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus analyzed by differential in-gel electrophoresis.

Background: For years, the analysis of innate responses to the major mold pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus has been restricted to specialized cells, such as professional phagocytes. More recently, the contribution of the airway epithelial barrier has been assessed and studies have shown that it was able to sense and react to the Aspergillus infection, for example, by producing cytokines.

Methods: To further explore the reaction of the respiratory epithelium to the fungus, we analyzed the proteome response of a human bronchial epithelial cell line to Aspergillus infection using difference gel electrophoresis.

Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium complex species identification by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

Because timely and accurate identification of members of the Pseudallescheria/ Scedosporium species complex (PSC) is clinically relevant, the objective of this investigation was to study the stability and influence of the main variable factors in the routine clinical laboratory to the potential use the Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time-Of-Flight (MALDI-TOF MS) in the identification of these fungi. Twenty-two PSC reference strains, three clinical isolates, an αHCCA matrix, and an Autoflex I spectrometer with BioTyper software (Bruker) were employed in this study. Intra-and inter-specimen composite correlation indices for each MS spectrum as compared to a reference spectrum were computed.

Toxoplasma gondii: flat-mounting of retina as a new tool for the observation of ocular infection in mice.

Ocular toxoplasmosis is the principal cause of posterior uveitis and a leading cause of blindness. Animal models are required to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. The method currently used for the detection of retinal cysts in animals involves the observation, under a microscope, of all the sections from infected eyes.

Rapid species diagnosis for invasive candidiasis using mass spectrometry.

Background: Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF-MS) allows the identification of most bacteria and an increasing number of fungi. The potential for the highest clinical benefit of such methods would be in severe acute infections that require prompt treatment adapted to the infecting species. Our objective was to determine whether yeasts could be identified directly from a positive blood culture, avoiding the 1-3 days subculture step currently required before any therapeutic adjustments can be made.

Pooling aqueous humor samples: bias in 2D-LC-MS/MS strategy?

The proteomic analysis of body fluids presents a major challenge in studies of human diseases. Traditional techniques for protein separation require large volumes and large amounts of protein, which may be difficult to obtain for certain fluids, such as the aqueous humor (AH). Two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC-MS/MS), adapted for peptides separation from complex protein mixtures, provides an alternative approach in proteomic analysis with a potential utility in biomarker research.

Use of mass spectrometry to identify clinical Fusarium isolates.

Fusarium spp. have recently emerged as significant human pathogens. Identification of these species is important, both for epidemiological purposes and for patient management, but conventional identification based on morphological traits is hindered by major phenotypic polymorphism.