Protein biomarkers for schistosomiasis: enhancing surveillance in resource-limited settings
1
1 Biosciences and biotechnology, University of medical sciences, Ondo, Nigeria
2
2 Science Laboratory Technology, University of medical sciences, Ondo, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3791
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern in endemic African regions, where rapid and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective disease management. Traditional diagnostic assays rely on crude parasite antigens, which vary in composition and often trigger nonspecific immune responses, compromising test accuracy. Improving surveillance in resource-limited settings requires clearer, more stable biomarkers that can detect infections early and consistently. This study evaluated a highly immunoreactive 95 kDa protein eluted from Schistosoma mansoni worm antigen as a potential diagnostic marker using dot blot assays.
METHODS:
Immunoreactive proteins were identified from Schistosoma haematobium soluble egg antigen (SEA) and Schistosoma mansoni worm antigen protein (WAP) profiles via SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Target bands were excised, eluted, and quantified using the Bicinchoninic Acid (BCA) assay. ELISA was performed on forty urine samples (20 positive and 20 negative for S. haematobium) using human urine as the primary antibody and rabbit anti-human IgG as the secondary antibody to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy (AUC and 95% CI). Dot blot assays validated visible antigen–antibody recognition using pooled patient urine. Diagnostic indices were analyzed with GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 and MedCalc.
RESULTS:
SDS PAGE separated distinct protein bands from the antigen profiles, and Western blot identified a strongly immunoreactive 95 kDa from Sm WAP. This protein successfully eluted and demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance with 90% sensitivity and 95% specificity (AUC = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.91–1.00). ELISA clearly differentiated positive (0.19±0.35) and negative (0.02±0.07) samples (P < 0.0001). Dot blot assays showed that Sm-eluted proteins recognized S. haematobium samples, demonstrating cross-species diagnostic potential.
CONCLUSIONS:
This 95 kDa eluted protein shows strong promise as a rapid diagnostic biomarker for schistosomiasis and could improve surveillance efforts in resource-limited endemic communities.
Schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern in endemic African regions, where rapid and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective disease management. Traditional diagnostic assays rely on crude parasite antigens, which vary in composition and often trigger nonspecific immune responses, compromising test accuracy. Improving surveillance in resource-limited settings requires clearer, more stable biomarkers that can detect infections early and consistently. This study evaluated a highly immunoreactive 95 kDa protein eluted from Schistosoma mansoni worm antigen as a potential diagnostic marker using dot blot assays.
METHODS:
Immunoreactive proteins were identified from Schistosoma haematobium soluble egg antigen (SEA) and Schistosoma mansoni worm antigen protein (WAP) profiles via SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Target bands were excised, eluted, and quantified using the Bicinchoninic Acid (BCA) assay. ELISA was performed on forty urine samples (20 positive and 20 negative for S. haematobium) using human urine as the primary antibody and rabbit anti-human IgG as the secondary antibody to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy (AUC and 95% CI). Dot blot assays validated visible antigen–antibody recognition using pooled patient urine. Diagnostic indices were analyzed with GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 and MedCalc.
RESULTS:
SDS PAGE separated distinct protein bands from the antigen profiles, and Western blot identified a strongly immunoreactive 95 kDa from Sm WAP. This protein successfully eluted and demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance with 90% sensitivity and 95% specificity (AUC = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.91–1.00). ELISA clearly differentiated positive (0.19±0.35) and negative (0.02±0.07) samples (P < 0.0001). Dot blot assays showed that Sm-eluted proteins recognized S. haematobium samples, demonstrating cross-species diagnostic potential.
CONCLUSIONS:
This 95 kDa eluted protein shows strong promise as a rapid diagnostic biomarker for schistosomiasis and could improve surveillance efforts in resource-limited endemic communities.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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