Evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay (IgM cap dot EIA) using a peroxidase-labelled Toxoplasma gondii antigen (Alk-Toxo) for the diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis

Abstract

An IgM capture enzyme immunoassay (IgM cap dot EIA) using a peroxidase-labelled Toxoplasma gondii antigen was standardized and assessed for the diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis. This assay appeared to detect mostly IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma antigenic bands of 30, 27, 24, 22 and 18-17 kDa. In the study of serum samples (416) from patients with acute and chronic toxoplasmosis, from patients with unrelated diseases and from clinically healthy individuals, the IgM cap dot EIA showed diagnostic features similar to those of IgM capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and IgM immunofluorescence test. Nevertheless, only this assay gave clear-cut results.