THE USE OF SYNTHETIC PEPTIDES TO DIAGNOSE ANIMAL DISEASES (SYMPOSIUM FOR 30TH ANNIV. OF LABORATORUL CENTRAL SANITAR VEERINAR DE DIAGNOSTIC, BUCHARESTI, ROMANIA, MAY 17-16, 1996)

Authors: Schmerr, Mary Jo; Cutlip, Randall

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/17/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Synthetic peptides have been used to understand biological processes since the methods to make such peptides were developed 30 years ago. The use of these peptides has defined the structure of antigenic sites that react with antibody as well as sites on proteins that stimulate T cells to begin the cascade of events that are involved in the immune response. This information has lead to the development of vaccines and diagnostic tests for animal diseases. The use of several synthetic peptides will be discussed for specific diseases in animals. Synthetic peptides from the parasites Eimeria tenalla , a parasite in chickens, were used to identify an antigenic region that was important for vaccine development to this parasite. In Leishmania infantum, a parasite that is found in dogs and humans, a region called the P region was found on the ribosomal proteins of the parasite. In humans, antibodies to this region of the protein can trigger autoimmune responses. The bovine T-cell epitopes for Mycobacterium bovis were identified using synthetic peptide antigens. Several important antigenic sites have been identified for several viruses including Rotaviruses, Blue Tongue Virus, Foot and Mouth Disease Virus, Bovine Leukemia Virus and several Lentiviruses. Synthetic peptides are used to make diagnostic tests as well as to develop vaccines for these viruses. Assays using fluorescent labeled synthetic peptides were used to develop a diagnostic test for a unique infectious disease agent that causes scrapie in sheep and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.