title: Use of three immunological techniques for the detection of Toxoplasma spIgA antibodies in acute toxoplasmosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the performance and efficacy of three immunological techniques for the detection of Toxoplasma specific IgA antibodies in acute toxoplasmosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following techniques were used to examine 128 serum samples (51 cases of acute toxoplasmosis, 50 cases of heterologous infections, and 27 healthy controls): direct enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antibody capture ELISA, and antibody capture agglutination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Direct ELISA had a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 97%, antibody capture ELISA of 100% and 99%, respectively, and antibody capture agglutination had sensitivity and specificity of 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All three immunological techniques performed well with similar efficacy. Detection of Toxoplasma specific IgA antibodies is a useful diagnostic marker for acute toxoplasmosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D015415:Biomarkers; D007070:Immunoglobulin A