• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3495-3499
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of interleukin 21(IL-21) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in tuberculous pleural effusions (TPEs) and malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). Pleural effusion samples from 103 patients were classified on the basis of diagnosis as TPE (n=51) and MPE (n=52). The concentration of IL-21 was determined by ELISA. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), adenosine dehydrogenase (ADA) and CEA levels were also determined in all patients. A significant difference was observed in the levels of ADA and CEA (P<0.01), but not in the levels of LDH (P>0.05) between TPE and MPE. The concentration of IL-21 in MPE was significantly higher compared to TPE (P<0.01). With a threshold value of 4.32 pg/ml, IL-21 had a sensitivity of 76.9% (40/52) and a specificity of 80.4% (41/51). Combined detection of IL-21 and CEA had a sensitivity of 69.2% (36/52) and a specificity of 92.2% (47/51). These two markers can contribute to the differential diagnosis of MPEs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6295-6300
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• 2014

Our aim was to investigate the value of combined detection of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, CA 242 and CA 50 in diagnosis and assessment of prognosis in consecutive gastric cancer patients. Clinical data including preoperative serum CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242, and CA 50 values and information on clinical pathological factors were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were used to explore the relationship between tumor markers and survival. Positive rates of tumor markers CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242 and CA 50 in the diagnosis of gastric cancer were 17.7, 17.1, 20.4 and 13.8%, respectively, and the positive rate for all four markers combined was 36.6%. Patients with elevated preoperative serum concentrations of CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242 and CA 50, had late clinical tumor stage and significantly poorer overall survival. Five-year survival rates in patients with elevated CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242 and CA 50 were 28.1, 25.8, 27.0 and 24.1%, respectively, compared with 55.0, 55.4, 56.4 and 54.5% in patients with these markers at normal levels (p<0.01). In multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses, an elevated CA 242 level was determined to be an independent prognostic marker in gastric cancer patients. Combined detection of four tumor markers increased the positive rate for gastric cancer diagnosis. CA 242 showed higher diagnostic value and CA 50 showed lower diagnostic value. In resectable gastric carcinoma, preoperative CA 242 level was associated with disease stage, and was found to be a significant independent prognostic marker in gastric cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.583-593
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• 1997

Indirect fluorescent antibody test(IFAT) and enzyme-linked imuunosorbent assay (IgG-ELISA) as serological diagnostic tools were conducted to evaluate the usefulness for diagnosis of canine babesiosis infected with Babesia gibsoni in domestic various dog breeds, american pit bullterrier, military shepherd, and mongrel dogs. The results obtained from this study were abstracted as follows. The nonionic detergent Triton X-100 and absorbent bio-bead $SM_2$ were useful reagents for the preparation of pure merozoite antigen of B gibsoni to be used in ELISA. The optimum reaction in ELISA was shown when the protein concentration of ELISA antigen was measured as 625ng/ml and the conjugate concentration was diluted into 1/6000 fold. The average OD value of ELISA in sera determined with negative responses in IFAT was measured as $0.255{\pm}0.051$(490nm) and the cut - off value of OD was determined as 0.399(490nm). The serum antibodies in both of IFAT and ELISA were detected on one week after artificially infected with B gibsoni and these high antibody titers, 512X in IFAT and 1024X in ELISA, were long lasted until 15 weeks after infection. The reproducibility of reaction and stability of the antigen absorbed microtitration polystyrene plate preserved in $4^{\circ}C$ refrigerator and $-20^{\circ}C$ freezer, respectively could be lasted until 135 days after storage. The positive rates in IFAT by dog breeds were shown 8.1%(60/744 heads) in mongrel dogs, 81.3%(78/96 heads) in american pit bullterrier and 15.6%(15/96 heads) in military shepherd, while the positive rate in ELISA shown 17.6%(131/744 heads) in mongrel dogs, 83.3%(80/96 heads) in american pit bullterrier and 36.5%(35/96 heads) in military shepherd, respiectively. In the total of 936 heads surveyed with IFAT and ELISA the positive rates in IFAT and ELISA were 16.4%(153/936 heads) and 26.3%(246/936 heads), respectivily. Agreement of reactions between IFAT and ELISA was shown 82.4% in 936 dog sera. The specificity and sensitivity of ELISA reaction were 83.5% and 76.5%, respectively. From the conclusion obtained in this study it was evaluated that IFAT and ELISA were useful as highly specific, sensitive and stable serelogical tools for the diagnosis of canine babesiosis in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.145-158
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• 1986

This study was undertaken to purify cystic fluid (CF) antigen of Taenia solium metacestodes by affinity chromatogaphy using specific monoclonal antibody(McAb) and to characterize the antigenicity of the purified antigen. The hybridoma cell lines, prepared by fusion between mouse plasmacytoma and spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with CF, secreted antibodies reacting to various helminthic antigens. Majority of cell lines reacted to CF only but some also reacted to parenchymal antigen of T. solium metacestodes, adult T. saginata, sparganum, hydatid cystic fluid, Paragonimus westermani and Clonorchis sinensis, either in combination with CF, other antigens or independently. Cloned cells derived from monoclonal lines also produced antibodies reacting either to CF only or to other helminthes in combination or independently. These results indicated that CF of T. solium metacestodes contained proteins which possessed antigenic determinants not only specific to CF but also cross reactive with the afore-mentioned helminthes. CF of T. solium metacestodes was purified by affinity chromatography using the McAb which reacted to CF and parenchymal antigens. The affinity-purified antigen (A-Ag) and unbound pool CF (U-Ag) were separated. A-Ag showed 2 protein bands by disc-PAGE whereas CF exhibited 6 bands and U-Ag consisted of all bands CF had. The diagnostic significance of A-Ag was evaluated by ELISA in human neurocysticercosis and other helminthic and neurologic diseases. By A-Ag, the levels of the specific IgG antibody, as shown by absorbance in sera and CSF, were lower than those of CF and U-Ag. Accordingly, the sensitivity was about 70% of CF and U-Ag. However, the nonspecific positive reactions to CF and U-Ag, observed in sparganosis, T. saginata infection and paragonimiasis did not occur when A-Ag was used. These results indicated that the affinity-purified A-Ag had the higher specificity but the lower sensitivity as a diagnostic antigen in cysticercosis, probably because it only detected a single or limited numbers of monospecific antibodies among the diverse polyclonal antibodies produced in the patients with neurocysticercosis.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.77-90
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• 1996

Nucleocapsid protein (NP)which exists in the particle of hantavirus and surrounds the viral RNA genome is one of the major structural proteins and plays role of antigen to elicit the antibody detected predorminantly right after infection of the virus in the patients of hemorragic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)or experimental animals. NP is important target antigen in serological diagnostic system of HFRS utilizing whole antigens from the native virus particle, such as IFA, ELISA and Western blotting. Therefore, the preparation of this protein in the level of higher quantity and purity is desirasble for developed dianosis of the disease. The purpose of this study is the cloning of NP gene which exists in the S genome segment of Maaji (MAA) virus and expression of the gene to obtain qualified, genetically engineered NP to be utilized as an immunodiagnostic antigen. First of all, for the purpose of amplifing the MAA-NP gene by PCR, the specific primers were built from the known nucleotide sequence of Hantaan viral NP gene. The viral cDNA of the NP gene was synthesized by using the primers and RNase $H^-$ AMV reverse transcriptase. Thereafter, using this cDNA as a template, the NP gene was amplified specifically by Taq DNA polymrerase. The pT7blue (R)T-overhang vector systems were used for cloning of the amplified NP gene. The expression system was consisted of BL21 (DE3)pLysS and pET16b as a host and a plasmid repectively. Into Ndel site of pET16b, NP gene was ligated with cohesive end for the expression. Insertion of NP gene in the plasmid was confirmed by PCR and mini prep methods. For expression, IPTG was used and the expressed protein was characterized by Western blotting. The MAA-NP was expressed as the form of inclusion body (insoluble fraction)and the protein purified by affinity and metal chealating columns reacted specifically with the sera from patients of HFRS as to be tested by ELISA and Western blotting.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.431-440
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• 2008

Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonosis in worldwide. As one of the control measures, attempts have been made to develop new diagnostic methods using filed isolates as a national policy in many countries. Currently, bovine brucellosis in Korea have been received attention in both public health and economical aspects due to sudden increase of outbreak. Based on the situation, we compared standard strain (B. abortus 1119-3) with field isolates to reveal the differences among them. Biological and biochemical charateristics, antibiotic resistance profiles, outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and lipopolysaccharide analysis of the strains were included in this study. For the diagnostic purpose, an attempt was made to find out a novel antigen from the Korean isolates by serological analysis. There were differences about 55 kDa, 36-38 kDa and 20 kDa in analysis of OMPs by SDS-PAGE and Western blot with positive sera ($\geq$ 1:400 in SAT titer). Also, a serological diagnostic method, ELISA was conducted using OMPs of the strains as novel antigen. Relationships between O.D. and SAT titer were analyzed using field sera showing different SAT titer. High correlation coefficient was observed between SAT titer and ELISA. Results from this study suggested that a new diagnsotic method should be developed using their own field isolates in each country.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.497-509
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• 2006

Until recently, the tuberculin skin test (TST) has been the only tool available for diagnosing a latent TB infection. However, the development of new diagnostic tools, using the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific early secreted antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10) antigens, should improve the control of tuberculosis (TB) by allowing a more accurate identification of a latent TB infection (LTBI). Antigen-specific interferon-gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$) assays have greater specificity in BCG-vaccinated individuals, and as less biased by nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. Many comparative studies have suggested that those assays have a higher specificity than the TST, and the sensitivity of these assays are expected to remarkably improved if more MTB-specific antigens can become available. Nevertheless, the major obstacle to the widespread use of these tests is the limited financial resources. Similar to other diagnostic tests, the predictive value of $IFN-{\gamma}$ assays depends on the prevalence of a MTB infection in the population being tested. Therefore, prospective studies will be meeded to establish the applicability of these new assays at multiple geographic locations among patients of different ethnicities, and to determine if the $IFN-{\gamma}$ responses can indicate those with a high risk of progressing to active TB.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.565-570
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• 2001

The diagnosis of swine sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis) was investigated by ELISA in order to replace current diagnostic methods such as skin scraping, scratching index, or lesion score of dermatitis. The current methods need many efforts and much times and cost much. They can not handle many samples simultaneously. Therefore, in this research we developed ELISA that can handle many samples at a time. The antigens of swine sarcoptic mite were isolated and examined by 12.5% SDS-PAGE and silver staining. The antigenicity of antigen was confirmed by Western blotting using the swine from the artificailly-infested swine with swine sarcoptic mite. The optical density (OD) values of the artificailly-infested positive sera and the naturally-infested positive sera of sows were measured and read in order to confirm the stability of antigens, the reproducibility and validity (sensitivity and specificity) of the manufactured ELISA of swine sarcoptic antigens. In above results, the developed ELISA would be possible to use the diagnostic tool of sarcoptic mange if OD values of piglets, fattening pigs and sows are interpreted reasonably and classified as mange-free and infested.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to assess the Clinical Usefulness of Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen (HpSA) immunochromatographic assay for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. In this study, we had compared HpSA-immunochromatographic assay with CLO test and UBT test. From a total of 140 patients (M:F=88:52) with upper endoscopy, biopsy specimens were obtained for CLO test. Stool specimens was collected from all patients and tested using a HpSA-immunochromatic assay. H. pylori infection status was defined as infected if the results of both CLO test and UBT test were positive. CLO test and UBT test findings showed that 92 patients were H. pylori positive and 48 patients were H. pylori negative. According to this definition, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive or negative predictive value (PPV, NPV) of HpSA-immunochromatographic assay were 97.8%, 100%, 100%, and 96%, respectively. Cross reactivity test of HpSA-immunochromatographic assay were performed with 10 enteric bacteria strains in fecal habitat, and there were no false positive reaction. We evaluated the usefulness of HpSA assay for eradication therapy with 10 of 92 H. pylori positive patients, positive results of them at pre-eradication therapy were converted to negative at post-eradication. The HpSA-immunochromatographic assay is a highly sensitive and specific non-invasive diagnostic method for detection of H. pylori infection, a useful diagnostic method for H. pylori in post eradication stage.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.spc1
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• pp.65-84
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• 2005

Invasive candidiasis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Clinical diagnosis is complicated by a lack of specific clinical signs and symptoms of disease. Laboratory diagnosis is also complex because circulating antibodies to Candida species may occur in normal individuals as the result of commensal colonization of mucosal surfaces thereby reducing the usefulness of antibody detection for the diagnosis of this disease. In addition, Candida species antigens are often rapidly cleared from the circulation so that antigen detection tests often lack the desired level of sensitivity. Microbiological confirmation is difficult because blood cultures can be negative in up to 50% of autopsy-proven cases of deep-seated candidiasis or may only become positive late in the infection. Positive cultures from urine or mucosal surfaces do not necessarily indicate invasive disease although can occur during systemic infection. Furthermore, differences in the virulence and in the susceptibility of the various Candida species to antifungal drugs make identification to the species level important for clinical management. Newer molecular biological tests have generated interest but are not yet standardized or readily available in most clinical laboratory settings nor have they been validated in large clinical trials. Laboratory surveillance of at-risk patients could result in earlier initiation of antifungal therapy if sensitive and specific diagnostic tests, which are also cost effective, become available. This review will compare diagnostic tests currently in use as well as those under development by describing their assets and limitations for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.