Abstract

The aim of the current study was to identify early specific diagnostic proteins from the components of Strongyloides ratti larval Excretory/Secretory (E/S) products. Products from the treated (Prednisolone) and non-treated (control) groups were analysed using two dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis, LC-MS/MS and MALDI-TOF/TOF Mass Spectrophotometry. A total of 10 different protein biomarkers were detected as overexpressed from the ES treated products with molecular weights ranging from 30 – 90 kDa and isoelectric points (IP) range from 4 – 9. Eight (8) overexpressed protein biomarkers were also identified from the infected and prednisolone-treated rat sera. Relative quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed to compare the expression level of the biomarker genes between the treated and non-treated groups in order to validate the related expressed biomarkers. Nine (9) related genes were observed to show significant high expression levels of the identified biomarkers, whereas one (1) gene (Arg) recorded down regulation in its expression. The identified proteins in this study might be of specific importance as diagnostic biomarkers for early hyperinfection syndrome in strongyloidiasis.