Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 14, 2026

3-D Imaging and Analysis of Neurons Infected In Vivo with Toxoplasma gondii
Published on: December 9, 2014
Antigen-specific oligoclonal IgG in AIDS-related cytomegalovirus and toxoplasma encephalitis
D Franciotta1, E Zardini, G Bono
1Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, IRCCS, Neurological Institute, C. Mondino, Pavia, Italy.
Unlabelled:
We retrospectively studied serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from AIDS patients with either Cytomegalovirus (2 cases) or Toxoplasma gondii (5 cases) encephalitis. The samples, which had previously proved to be negative for total IgG oligoclonal bands (OCBs), were investigated for antigen-specific OCBs directed to the disease-related opportunistic agent.
Material & Methods:
Paired serum and CSF samples from the given AIDS patients were considered. We undertook affinity immunoblotting of either virus- or protozoan-specific IgG onto antigen-coated nitrocellulose paper after protein separation by agarose isoelectric focusing (IEF).
Results:
Antigen-specific OCBs to the disease-related opportunistic agent were detected in serum and in CSF samples from all the patients.
Conclusions:
During overt AIDS, routine IEF methods may fail to detect OCBs, probably because nonspecific polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, which is typical of this disease, reduces their visibility. Our IEF/immunoblotting profiles are characterized by identical serum and CSF bands. The detection of antigen-specific OCBs may support the diagnosis of some opportunistic infections of the central nervous system in AIDS.
More Related Videos
09:12A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection
Published on: June 15, 2018
05:55Quantification of Autoreactive Antibodies in Mice upon Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: December 1, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
There are many different types of ELISAs, but they all involve an antibody molecule whose constant region binds an enzyme, leaving the variable region free to bind its specific antigen. Enzyme-substrate reaction allows the antigen to be visualized or quantified.
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Cryptococcal Meningitis
Toxoplasmosis
Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology