Open AccessTechnique for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii antigens in mouse urine
Author(s) -
Alberto Fachado,
Luis Fonte,
Lázara Rojas,
Esteban Alberti,
Rodolfo Machín
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
memórias do instituto oswaldo cruz
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1678-8060
pISSN - 0074-0276
DOI - 10.1590/s0074-02761990000100010
Subject(s) - toxoplasma gondii , urine , antigen , toxoplasmosis , staphylococcus aureus , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , virology , chemistry , immunology , antibody , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics
A simple and rapid staphylococcal coagglutination test for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii antigens in mice urine is described. A suspension of protein-A containing Staphylococcus aureus coated with rabbit hyperimmune serum was used as reagent. The sensitivity of the antigen assay was found to be at least 118 ng of the antigen protein per ml. No coagglutination was observed when the reagent was challenged against antigenic solutions of other parasites. The suitability of the method for detecting antigens of T. gondii in urine samples was studied by experimental toxoplasma infection in mice. Before the staphylococcal test, the urine samples were double serially diluted in 0.1 M PBS. From the second day on all samples from infected mice were positive at 1/16 dilution. At this dilution, all samples from non infected mice were negative or did not produce coagglutination. This method might be used in the rapid etiological diagnosis also in human cases of acute toxoplasmosis.