Store the freeze-dried Chimeric Chagas Multiantigen at a temperature between 2-8 degrees Celsius. Once it has been reconstituted, store it at -20 degrees Celsius. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing cycles to maintain product stability.
Purified by proprietary chromatographic technique.
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a significant public health concern, particularly in Latin America. The disease can lead to severe cardiac and gastrointestinal complications if left untreated. Traditional diagnostic methods for Chagas disease have limitations, prompting the development of more accurate and reliable diagnostic tools. One such advancement is the creation of chimeric Chagas multiantigen recombinants.
A chimeric Chagas multiantigen recombinant is a synthetic protein engineered to contain multiple epitopes from different antigens of T. cruzi. These recombinants are designed to improve the sensitivity and specificity of serological tests for Chagas disease. By combining several antigenic regions into a single protein, these chimeric recombinants can elicit a stronger immune response, making them more effective in detecting antibodies against T. cruzi.
The development of chimeric Chagas multiantigen recombinants involves the identification and selection of immunodominant epitopes from various T. cruzi antigens. These epitopes are then genetically fused to create a single recombinant protein. The recombinant protein is typically produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) expression systems, which allow for high-yield and cost-effective production.
For example, one such recombinant protein includes epitopes PEP-2, TcD, TcE, and SAPA, fused to a 6His-tag . This fusion protein is lyophilized and can be stored at -20°C for extended periods, making it suitable for use in various diagnostic applications.
Chimeric Chagas multiantigen recombinants are primarily used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and lateral flow assays for the serological diagnosis of Chagas disease. These assays leverage the high sensitivity and specificity of the chimeric recombinants to detect anti-T. cruzi antibodies in patient samples.
Studies have shown that these chimeric recombinants can achieve high diagnostic accuracy. For instance, the IBMP-8.2 and IBMP-8.4 antigens demonstrated sensitivity values of 89.8% and 85.7%, respectively, and specificity values of 98.3% and 98.6%, respectively . These performance metrics highlight the potential of chimeric recombinants to enhance Chagas disease surveillance and diagnosis.
The use of chimeric Chagas multiantigen recombinants offers several advantages:
The development and application of chimeric Chagas multiantigen recombinants represent a significant advancement in the fight against Chagas disease. These recombinants not only improve diagnostic accuracy but also contribute to better disease management and control efforts globally.