Evaluation of a solid-phase immunoassay (DIG-ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of ovine toxoplasmosis.
The antibody response to Toxoplasma gondii was studied in 5 experimentally infected sheep by means of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the diffusion-in-gel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DIG-ELISA). A significant increase in the antibody levels was registered by both methods as early as one week after subcutaneous inoculation with the RH strain of T.gondii. Maximal antibody levels were recorded 4 to 8 weeks after the inoculation. Analysis of a total of 135 sera obtained during different stages of experimental or natural toxoplasma infection revealed close agreement between the results of the two methods used. The expediency of regular DIG-ELISA as well as of a modified procedure for the direct analysis of blood sampled onto filter paper discs was also demonstrated. There was a close correlation between the results obtained by analysis of serum and of blood adsorbed onto filter paper.
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies