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Fig. 8 | BMC Biology

Fig. 8

From: A brain cyst load-associated antigen is a Toxoplasma gondii biomarker for serodetection of persistent parasites and chronic infection

Fig. 8

BCLA behaves as a bona fide serological marker for chronic infection in humans. a Schematic representation of the epitope-mapped regions in both the repeat n°4 and rBCLA region. Peptide coverage is displayed as a line representing the individual 14aa peptides above or below the peptidic sequence, with partial numbering displayed. Regions displaying significant or strong reactivity are colored orange and red, respectively. b Epitope mapping of the sera positive by Western blot to rBCLA. Below, histograms displaying the relative reactivity of peptides on both the core repeat region and rBCLA region, calculated using 5 different blots from sera Western blot reactive to rBCLA with a negative non-specific background subtraction of 5 individual sera negative by Western blot to rBCLA and also Sag1 negative. Above is an example of a dot blot membrane revelation pattern with numbered peptides, performed on a positive human serum. c BCLA reactivity in human sera depending on T. gondii serological status. Scatter plot of individual BCLA ELISA titrations (in UI) in seronegative (blue dots) and seropositive individuals (red squares) assessed through routine clinical serologies against T. gondii infection (Vidas® and Architect® IgG/IgM). Gray histograms display the median BCLA titration value per group and interquartile range. Statistical significance was calculated using a non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. Gray zone (65 to 80 UI) and positivity cutoff line (at 80 UI) are indicated. d Detailed BCLA reactivity within clinical categories. Scatter plot of individual BCLA ELISA titrations (in UI) grouped within clinical status categories of T. gondii seropositive patients compared to the seronegative group. These groups are as follows: SAG1 seronegative patients (blue dot), past immunity patients (orange diamonds), active toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients (green cubes), asymptomatic serological reactivation in immunocompromised patients (turquoise triangle), and proven ocular toxoplasmosis patients (purple cube). Gray histograms display the median BCLA titration value per group and interquartile range. Statistical significance was calculated using the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test followed by Dunn’s post-test to compare individually all the latter groups with the seronegative patients’ groups. Gray zone (65 to 80 UI) and positivity cutoff line (at 80 UI) are indicated

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