SjSP-13, a secreted Schistosoma japonicum protein, has been identified as a marker of schistosome infection. Recombinant SjSP-13 (rSjSP-13) had 90.4% sensitivity and 98.9% specificity when tested against infected serum samples. Diagnostic validity was confirmed in an area of China endemic for schistosomiasis: PCR analysis found that 92.4% of egg-negative individuals who were rSjSP-13 positive were infected. The authors believe that using the sensitive, specific and affordable rSjSP-13-based ELISA will help target treatment and aid control and elimination of schistosomiasis.
References
Xu, X. et al. Serodiagnosis of Schistosoma japonicum infection: genome-wide identification of a protein marker, and assessment of its diagnostic validity in a field study in China. Lancet Infect. Dis. 10.1016/S1473-3099(14)70067-2
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New marker could benefit schistosomiasis management. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 11, 268 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2014.54
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2014.54
