Novas ferramentas e imunoensaios para detecção de Escherichia coli diarreiogênicas e Shigella flexneri

Abstract

Diarrheal syndromes represent a public health issue, with Escherichia coli ETEC and Shigella flexneri being significant pathogens worldwide. Therefore, the development of rapid, effective, and accurate methods is crucial for control measures. Among the existing diagnostic approaches are immunoassays, which require molecules capable of specifically interacting with infection markers. In this context, IgY antibody technology has emerged as an alternative for antibody production, given its production and economic benefits, and ethical advantages. This study aimed to develop and evaluate IgY antibodies targeted against Shigella sp./E. coli FimH and ETEC E. coli ETpA antigens, assessing them through various immunoassays. Chapter I of this thesis provides a review highlighting recent studies on the use of magnetic beads in diarrheagenic bacteria detection systems. Chapter II presents a patent filed with INPI describing a method for producing and obtaining egg yolk antibodies (IgY) using synthetic peptides targeting Shigella sp. and E. coli antigens. In Chapter III, we presented an original article, addressing the development of IgY antibodies against ETpA and FimH applied to an immunoassay using magnetic beads and quantum dots, with assay evaluation performed by flow cytometry. Future work will aim to apply the tools and methods developed here in assays for pathogen detection in patient samples, water potability for consumption, and food analysis.