title: Simple and efficient method for measuring anti-toxoplasma immunoglobulin antibodies in human sera using complement-mediated lysis of transgenic tachyzoites expressing beta-galactosidase.
abstract: A simple and efficient method using transgenic Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites expressing beta-galactosidase was developed for detection of specific antibodies against the parasite in sera of patients. The titers obtained with the new test were similar to those obtained with the Sabin-Feldman dye test run in parallel. Although significant changes in endpoint titers were not observed when sera drawn sequentially at 2- to 3-week intervals were tested with both procedures, apparent differences in antibody affinity were observed with the new test which were not perceptible with the Sabin-Feldman dye test. Like the Sabin-Feldman dye test, the new test is based on complement lysis of tachyzoites, but it is much easier to perform and the reaction is read colorimetrically instead of visually.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Research Institute, 795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, California 94301, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dando
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Gabriel
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Remington
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Parmley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D014162:Transfection; D019076:Transgenes; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D001616:beta-Galactosidase