Human strongyloidiasis research requires a large supply of Strongyloides stercoralis. This can be achieved through in vivo maintenance of Strongyloides stercoralis in Meriones unguiculatus, but isolating a large quantity of Strongyloides stercoralis to establish the colony from an infected patient is too difficult to achieve. Hence, Strongyloides ratti have been used as a model in human strongyloidiasis research. This study describes a successful establishment and maintenance of Strongyloides ratti infection in experimentally immunosuppressed Wistar rats. Large quantities of filariform (iL3) larvae of Strongyloides ratti for research related to human strongyloidiasis have been harvested following this protocol. Molecular detection method based on PCR using species specific primers was used to confirm the species of the harvested infective larvae (iL3). Additionally, the identification of histopathological lesions confirmed the presence of infective larvae (iL3) in the liver and lungs as a result of an increased parasite burden due to hyperinfection and disseminated disease. This pathological presentation was found to be similar to that reported in Strongyloides stercoralis-infected immunocompromised human subjects. � 2017, Malaysian Society for Parasitology. All rights reserved.

Background: Currently, most of the available serological diagnostic kits for strongyloidiasis are based on the use of the crude antigens of Strongyloides ratti, which are good, but with less sensitivity towards the infection. Hence, this study aimed to produce and evaluate monoclonal antibody for detecting soluble parasite antigen in animal sera. Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University Putra Malaysia in 2014-2017. Saline extract protein from the infective larvae of S. ratti was used to immunize BALB/c mice and subsequent fusion of the B-cells with myeloma cells (SP2/0) using 50% PEG. The hybridomas were cultured in HAT medium and cloned by limiting dilutions. Positive hybrids were screened by indirect ELISA. The ascites fluid from the antibody-secreting hybridoma was purified and the MAb was characterized by western-blots and evaluated in sandwich ELISA for reactivity against the homologous and heterologous antigens. Results: An IgG1 that recognizes a 30 and 34 kDa protein bands was obtained. The MAb was recognized by all S. ratti-related antigens and cross-reacted with only Toxocara canis antigens in both assays. The minimum antigen detection limit was found to be 5 ng/ml. All antibody-positive rat and dog sera evaluated have shown antigen-positive reactions in Sandwich-ELISA. Conclusion: The MAb produced, was able to detect antigens in strongyloidiasis and toxocariasis in animal models and may also be useful for the serological detection of active strongyloidiasis and visceral toxocariasis in human sera. � 2018, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved.

The increasing demand for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) used for diagnostic and therapeutic applications has led to the development of large scale manufacturing processes, with improvements in production achieved through continuous optimization of the inherent systems. The number of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that have already been approved for therapeutic applications and for use in clinical trials have significantly increased in the past few years. In view of the side effects and limitations of mAbs, several improvements and modifications to monoclonal antibodies have been developed. These modifications have facilitated the use of mAbs in various forms of therapeutic applications such as treatment of infectious diseases caused by bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic organisms. Monoclonal antibodies have also been applied in the treatment of non-infectious diseases such as cancer, immune diseases, arthritis and other disorders resulting from organ transplantation. This review highlights mAbs applications in biomedicine, and discusses state-of-the-art technologies related to their potential uses. � Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, 300001 Nigeria. All rights reserved.