Cerebrospinal Fluid from Alzheimer's Disease Patients Contains Fungal Proteins and DNA.

Abstract

The identification of biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease is important for patient management and to assess the effectiveness of clinical intervention. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers constitute a powerful tool for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression. We have analyzed the presence of fungal proteins and DNA in CSF from AD patients. Our findings reveal that fungal proteins can be detected in CSF with different anti-fungal antibodies using a slot-blot assay. Additionally, amplification of fungal DNA by PCR followed by sequencing distinguished several fungal species. The possibility that these fungal macromolecules could represent AD biomarkers is discussed.

• Authors: Ruth Alonso, Diana Pisa, Alberto Rábano, Izaskun Rodal, Luis Carrasco
• Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD (J Alzheimers Dis) Vol. 47 Issue 4 Pg. 873-6 ( 2015) ISSN: 1875-8908 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 26401766 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• DNA, Fungal
• Fungal Proteins

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Alzheimer Disease (cerebrospinal fluid, microbiology)
• DNA, Fungal (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Female
• Fungal Proteins (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polymerase Chain Reaction