title: Use of recombinant antigens for detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in swine.
abstract: Five recombinant Toxoplasma gondii antigens, designated B427, C51, C55, V22, and MBP30 were assessed for their potential use in an enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) for detection of T. gondii infection in swine. The antigens were evaluated with sera from young pigs that had been fed 1-10,000 T. gondii oocysts of the VEG or GT-1 strains. Results were compared with an EIA using a native T. gondii antigen extract. All 5 recombinant antigens, as well as native antigen, detected antibody responses as soon as 3 wk after infection in pigs inoculated with 1 or 10 oocysts of the VEG strain. This antibody response persisted, at varying levels, for 14 wk when the experiment was terminated. All antigens also detected antibody responses in pigs 4 wk after inoculation with 10,000 oocysts of the GT-1 strain. The antibody response recognized by native antigen remained high through 51 wk after inoculation. However, there was considerable animal-to-animal variation in responses to the individual recombinant antigens. Only antigens C51 and MBP30 consistently detected a positive antibody response over the entire 51-wk course of the experiment. These results suggest that these antigens might be useful for the serological detection of T. gondii infection in pigs.
authors.affiliation: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Livestock and Poultry Sciences Institute, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dubey
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Webert
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Parmley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001681:Biological Assay; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D011994:Recombinant Proteins