Assessment of IgG and IgM, Eisa and Ifat in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in pregnancies at risk

This study was carried out on 100 pregnant cases divided into 5 groups of patients having congenitally malformed newborns, suffering from stillbirths, premature labours, repeated abortions and control group. The incidence of positive Toxoplasma antibodies was higher in the congenital malformation and stillbirths groups than other groups. Analysis of the results showed that an excellent correlation exists between ELISA and IFAT with a minimal differences [< 5%]

Immune complexes in infective endocarditis

The study included 25 patients with infective endocarditis [IE] diagnosed clinically, by echocardiographic evidence and positive blood culture, as well as 10 patients with rheumatic fever [RH F] and 10 normal controls. Humoral immunity was tested; serum IgG, IgM, C3 component of complement, heart reactive antibodies [HRA] as well as circulating immune circulating immune complexes [CIC] were studied. Mean serum IgG level was significantly higher in IE group compared to other two groups [P less than 0.01]. C3 level was decreased in 24% of IE cases. Specific HRA were detected in 56% of the IE and in 10% of the rheumatic fever group. CIC were detected in 36% and 28% of IE patients using PEG and CIq binding assay respectively. Bacterial infection modifies cardiac antigen leading to an altered immune response to the damaged myocardium and endocardium characterized by an increase in plasma immunoglobulins and HRA. CIC may appear in the course of the disease and are manifested extra-valvular manifestations and hypocomplementaemia