Detection of Toxoplasma gondii antigens in urine by reverse latex agglutination test during human toxoplasmosis
Mahmoud, M.S.E.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology 32(2): 429-446
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 1110-0583 PMID: 12214921 Document Number: 544771
T. gondii antigens were detected in concentrated urine samples of 39 out of 40 patients with acute toxoplasmosis and in 38 serum samples from the same patients by reverse latex agglutination (RLA) test which showed a high sensitivity of 97.5% and 95% for urine and blood specimens, respectively. Using capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), T. gondii antigens were detected in concentrated urine samples of 30 out of the 40 patients and in 29 sera from the same patients, recording a moderate sensitivity of 75% and 72.5% for urine and blood specimens, respectively. Neither the RLA test nor ELISA detected T. gondii antigens in urine or serum samples collected from patients with chronic toxoplasmosis. No false positive reaction was observed with urine or serum samples of normal- or other parasitic infection-control individuals, recording a specificity of 100% for both RLA test and ELISA. Urine samples were collected easily and readily without causing any inconvenience to the individuals enrolled in the study. The RLA test was easy to perform and visually interpreted within 2-3 minutes. The diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis through the detection of easily obtainable urinary T. gondii antigens by the highly sensitive and specific RLA test is discussed.