Epitope mapping of recombinant Leishmania donovani virulence factor A2 (recLdVFA2) and canine leishmaniasis diagnosis using a derived synthetic bi-epitope.

Background: Leishmaniasis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases spread in Latin America. Since many species are involved in dog infection with different clinical manifestations, the development of specific diagnostic tests is mandatory for more accurate disease control and vaccine strategies.

Methodology/principal Findings: Seventy-five 15-mer peptides covering the sequence of recombinant Leishmania donovani virulence factor A2 (recLdVFA2) protein were prepared by Spot synthesis.

Independent component analysis-based method for electroencephalogram analysis during photic stimulation.

Background: Intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) leads to phase- and time-locked activities in the electroencephalogram (EEG). While the first are easily obtained by means of averaging techniques (the evoked response), this latter reflects changes in the ongoing EEG that are important in event-related synchronization/desynchronization (ERS/ERD) studies. Techniques have been proposed for assessing such changes but they only provide the spectral estimate of the time-locked activities.

Innovative immunization protocols using chimeric recombinant protein for the production of polyspecific loxoscelic antivenom in horses.

A chimeric protein (rCpLi) was constructed expressing three epitopes of rLiD1, a dermonecrotic toxin from the venom of Loxosceles intermedia spider. We have analyzed the neutralization potential of sera obtained by immunization of horses with rCpLi and rCpLi combined with initial doses of venoms and compared these with antivenom traditionally produced in horses using crude Loxosceles gaucho, Loxosceles laeta and L. intermedia venoms as antigens.

Molecular cloning, expression and immunological properties of LiD1, a protein from the dermonecrotic family of Loxosceles intermedia spider venom.

The present report describes the identification and molecular characterization of LiD1, a protein expressed in the venom gland of the brown spider Loxosceles intermedia. LiD1 belongs to a family of proteins with dermonecrotic activity and members of this family have been found in spiders from the genus Loxosceles. The necrotic lesions caused by this group of proteins may lead to serious socio-economic problems such as surgical tissue reconstitution and even patient death.