title: Salivary IgA against sporozoite-specific embryogenesis-related protein (TgERP) in the study of horizontally transmitted toxoplasmosis via T. gondii oocysts in endemic settings.
abstract: The aim of this study was to contribute to the better understanding of the relative epidemiological importance of different modes of infection with respect to horizontal transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in endemic settings. We investigated the prevalence of salivary IgA against a sporozoite-specific embryogenesis-related protein (TgERP) in a highly endemic area for toxoplasmosis in Brazil in order to pinpoint parasite transmission via oocysts. Prevalence calculated by salivary IgA specific to TgERP was compared to the prevalence calculated by serum IgG against both TgERP and tachyzoites (in conventional serological tests). Prevalence calculated by different serological and salivary parameters varied in the studied age groups. However, for the 15-21 years age group, values for T. gondii prevalence estimated by conventional serological tests and by anti-TgERP salivary IgA were similar; i.e. 68·7% and 66·6% or 66·7%, respectively, using two different cut-off parameters for salivary IgA anti-TgERP. Furthermore, salivary IgA anti-TgERP for this age group presented the highest specificity (93·33%), sensitivity (93·94%), and likelihood (14·09) compared to all the other age groups. These data demonstrate the importance of age for salivary IgA investigation against TgERP to estimate the mode of T. gondii transmission in endemic settings.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer,Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia,Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro,Campos dos Goytacazes,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Mangiavacchi
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer,Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia,Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro,Campos dos Goytacazes,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil.
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia,Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro,Macaé,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil.
authors.forename: L M G
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bahia-Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory,Beltsville Agricultural Research Center,United States Department of Agriculture,Beltsville,MD,USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033661:Oocysts / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D015800:Protozoan Proteins
keywords: Diagnosis; Toxoplasma gondii; oocysts; salivary IgA; waterborne infections