Vi capsular polysaccharide (Vi) conjugate vaccines, which can prevent typhoid in infants and young children, are being developed. Comparative immunogenicity studies are facilitated by an International Standard (IS) for human anti-Vi IgG. 16/138, a pool of sera from volunteers which received either Vi conjugate vaccine or plain Vi vaccine, was assessed as an IS alongside U.S. reference reagent Vi-IgG. Samples were tested in a commercial ELISA (n = 7), a standardised ELISA based on biotinylated Vi (n = 7) and in-house ELISAs (n = 7). Valid estimates were obtained for the potency of all samples in the commercial ELISA, and the commutability of 16/138 and Vi-IgG was evident for the commercial ELISA and in-house ELISAs based on a coating of Vi and protein. The WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization established 16/138 as the first IS for anti-Vi IgG with 100 IU per ampoule and assigned 163 IU per vial of Vi-IgG.
Introduction: T-cadherin, a non-canonical member of the cadherin superfamily, was initially identified for its involvement in homophilic recognition within the nervous and vascular systems. Apart from its adhesive function, T-cadherin acts as a receptor for two ligands: LDL, contributing to atherogenic processes, and HMW adiponectin, a hormone with well-known cardiovascular protective properties. However, the precise role of T-cadherin in adipose tissue remains elusive.
Introduction: Malaria remains a significant burden, and a fully protective vaccine against is critical for reducing morbidity and mortality. Antibody responses against the blood-stage antigen Merozoite Surface Protein 2 (MSP2) are associated with protection from malaria, but its extensive polymorphism is a barrier to its development as a vaccine candidate. New tools, such as long-read sequencing and accurate protein structure modelling allow us to study the genetic diversity and immune responses towards antigens from clinical isolates with unprecedented detail.
Q fever, caused by the bacterium , is a zoonotic disease that has been largely overlooked despite presenting significant risks to both animal and public health. Although well studied in some countries, in most countries in Latin America, there's a lack of information on infection, its prevalence, and its impact on both livestock and human populations. To address this gap, we conducted a serosurvey among farm workers, cattle, sheep, and dogs on two dairy farms in Ecuador using a commercial ELISA kit.
Background: As a master immune system regulator, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is closely linked to the complicated pathophysiology and development of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a multisystem fibrotic disease.
Objective: We aim to evaluate the transcriptional levels of TGF-β1 mRNA in PBMCs, assess the TGF-β1 serum levels of SSc patients, and compare them with those of healthy subjects.
Methods: PBMCs were isolated from whole blood of 50 SSc patients and in 30 healthy controls.
This study aimed to assess the geographical distribution of Q fever in sheep and goats in different areas of Punjab, Pakistan. Three hundred blood samples of small ruminants including sheep and goats were collected from 60 villages of three districts (Okara, Kasur, and Pakpattan) of Punjab Province Pakistan and tested for the detection of anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies using a commercial Indirect ELISA kit. Data related to sampling location, host species, gender, age, and GPS coordinates were collected for spatial analysis.
