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Detection of circulating antigen in patients with rhinosporidiosis
Abstract:
A study was undertaken to demonstrate antibodies or antigen in the serum or plasma of 69 patients with rhinosporidiosis. These patients were divided into three groups, depending upon the duration of their illness. In 14 (46.7%) of 30 patients with 1-3 years of infection with R. seeberi, 18 (78.3%) of 23 patients with 4-9 years of infection and 16 (100%) of 16 patients with 10 or more years of infection, apparent rhinosporidial antigen was found in their serum or plasma by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE). No antibodies could be demonstrated, by immunodiffusion (ID) or by CIE, in the serum or plasma of the 69 patients. CIE was more sensitive for the detection of precipitating antigen than ID.
Insights
Rhinosporidiosis antigen was detected in patient serum using counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), with detection rates increasing with infection duration. Antibodies were not found in any patients, indicating CIE
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi.
- Diagnosis often relies on clinical presentation and histopathology, with limited serological diagnostic tools.
- Understanding the host immune response and antigen detection is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of antibodies and antigens in patients with rhinosporidiosis.
- To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and immunodiffusion (ID) for rhinosporidiosis.
- To correlate antigen detection with the duration of rhinosporidiosis infection.
Main Methods:
- Serum and plasma samples were collected from 69 rhinosporidiosis patients.
- Patients were grouped based on infection duration: 1-3 years, 4-9 years, and 10+ years.
- Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and immunodiffusion (ID) were used to detect rhinosporidial antigen and antibodies.
Main Results:
- Rhinosporidial antigen was detected in 46.7% (1-3 years), 78.3% (4-9 years), and 100% (10+ years) of patients.
- No antibodies were detected in any of the 69 patients using either CIE or ID.
- CIE demonstrated higher sensitivity for precipitating antigen detection compared to ID.
Conclusions:
- Rhinosporidial antigen is detectable in serum/plasma, with prevalence increasing with disease duration.
- The absence of detectable antibodies suggests a non-humoral immune response or limitations in current detection methods.
- CIE is a sensitive method for detecting rhinosporidial antigen in clinical samples.