Analysis Of Toxoplasma Gondii Excretory Secretory Antigens (Esa) And Identification Of Potential Markers Of Acute Infection
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Date
2011-02
Authors
Saadatnia, Geita
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. Infection with this organism is widespread and important in humans, especially pregnant women and immunosuppressed patients. Unless treated, it can result in severe morbidity and even death. These severe sequelae thus emphasize the importance of appropriate laboratory investigations in potential cases of acute/reactivated Toxoplasma infection. Diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis still poses a lot of challenges, and a panel of tests is required for confirmation of toxoplasmosis. Excretory secretory antigens (ESA) are highly immunogenic during both human and experimental infections. Thus they are good candidates for investigation into new infection markers, especially for detection of probable cases of acute toxoplasmosis. In this study, ESA was prepared using two approaches namely: 1) from tachyzoites of RH strain of T. gondii by intraperitoneal infection of Swiss albino mice, 2) from in vitro culture of T. gondii. For use in production of the in vitro ESA, optimizations of cell culture method for T. gondii propagation was performed to obtain a consistent source of parasites with maximum yield and viability, but minimum host cell contamination. Serum samples were obtained from various categories of individuals: probable cases of acute toxoplasmosis from patients suspected of toxoplasmosis who were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM and negative/positive for IgG; chronically infected patients who were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG but negative for IgM; and from patients with other infections, as well as from healthy controls.
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Keywords
Toxoplasma Gondii , Acute Infection