Tomas, A. L.Cardoso, F.Esteves, F.Matos, O.2018-05-112018-05-112016-11-082045-2322PURE: 2206732PURE UUID: 28388639-2455-44a4-b7c0-53b2c1a28111WOS: 000392054300001Scopus: 84994389260PubMed: 27824115PubMedCentral: PMC5099754ORCID: /0000-0003-1501-9479/work/69039027ORCID: /0000-0001-5793-7716/work/45845557http://hdl.handle.net/10362/36600Diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) relies on the detection of P. jirovecii in respiratory specimens obtained by invasive techniques. Thus, the development of a serological test is urgently needed as it will allow the diagnosis of PcP using blood, an inexpensive and non-invasive specimen. This study aims to combine the production of a multi-epitope synthetic recombinant antigen (RSA) and an ELISA test for detection of anti-P. jirovecii antibodies, in order to develop a new approach for PcP diagnosis. The RSA was selected and designed based on the study of the immunogenicity of the carboxyl-terminal domain of the major surface glycoprotein. This antigen was purified and used as an antigenic tool in an ELISA technique for detection of Ig, IgG and IgM antibodies anti-P. jirovecii (patent-pending no. PT109078). Serum specimens from 88 patients previously categorized in distinct clinical subgroups and 17 blood donors, were analysed. The IgM anti-P. jirovecii levels were statistically increased in patients with PcP (p = 0.001) and the ELISA IgM anti-P. jirovecii test presented a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 80.8%, when associated with the clinical diagnosis criteria. This innovative approach, provides good insights about what can be done in the future serum testing for PcP diagnosis.8492921engMAJOR SURFACE GLYCOPROTEINCARINII-PNEUMONIAINFECTED PATIENTSRESPONSESINDICATORGENESSERUMImmunologyInfectious DiseasesSDG 3 - Good Health and Well-beingjournal article10.1038/srep36287