Humoral and cellular immune responses as diagnostic tools in human toxoplasmosis

The study was conducted to assess the humoral and cellular immune responses in patients suspected to have Toxoplasma infection, and to evaluate their use as diagnostic tools. Seventy six persons were enrolled in the study, 56 of them are patients with toxoplasmosis. In addition to 20 apparently healthy persons were served as control. They were divided into 4 main groups according to their signs and symptoms, Group I, 17 patients with ocular signs and symptoms suggestive of toxoplasmosis Group II, 23 patients complaining of complicated obstetric problems, Group III, 9 infants and children with signs and symptoms of congenital toxoplasmosis, and Group IV, 7 patients with manifestations suggesting toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy. RH Toxoplasma strain was used. Experimental animals: 400 mice were used, 10 each time, for maintainance of Toxoplasma strain, by regular serial passage and for preparation of antigen. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] for detection of anti Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. Lymphocyte transformation test were done for detection of specific lymphocyte proliferation [blastogenic response]. Out of total 56 patients, 49 patients [87.5%] gave positive results to Toxopasma antigen in one or more of the specific techniques applied. Seven patients gave negative results were recommended for periodic follow up before exclusion of toxoplasmosis. High rates of seropositivity detected among suspected patients suggest the reliability of ELISA in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Specific lymphoblastognic response would confirm the results and reveal dormant infection in some suspected subjects. However, rising titre/ seroconversion is a prerequisite for therapy

comparative study on some immunodiagnostic techniques currently used for the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis in Egypt

Since 2002, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population in collaboration with the WHO implemented a lymphatic filariasis elimination campaign in Egypt. Yet, surveillance and follow-up measures detected asymptomatic microfilaraemic cases among the at risk population. The present work aimed to evaluate and compare tile diagnostic value of filarial immunoassays currently used in clinical as well as research institutions in Egypt regarding their sensitivity, specificity and reliability. Accordingly, Dirofilaria immitis adult crude antigen was evaluated as a capture molecule for anti-human filarial antibodies in serum of patients with occult as well as overt infections. A comparative study was done on a total of 82 subjects. Serum samples from all subjects were tested for the presence of anti-fliarial antibodies, utilizing reagents currently used for the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis in Egypt. Tile commercially available Dirofilaria immitis adult crude antigen was used to detect serum IgG by indirect ELISA, lgG4 ELISA, Dot-ELISA and dipstick ELISA techniques. Among 18 microfilaraemic cases, indirect ELISA, IgG4 ELISA, Dot-ELISA and dipstick ELISA techniques were positive in 61.1%, 100%. 77.8% and 77, respectively. Corresponding figures among 20 symptomatic amicrofilaraemic cases were 95%, 0%. 85% and 80% with 75%, 95.5%, 88.6% and 88.6% specificity, respectively. Although IgG4 ELISA was more sensitive and specific in detection of microfilaraemic asymptomatic group than other ELISA techniques, Dot ELISA was found to be relatively more sensitive than other techniques among all groups of patients examined. The use of Dirofilaria immitis adult worm crude antigen in ELISA tests revealed an acceptable degree of sensitivity and specificity, in addition to its commercial availability. It is a reliable reagent with high immunodiagnostic potential

Study on humoral and lymphocyte specific reactions in patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni

This study was carried out on 25 patients [10 males and 15 females]. Their ages ranged between 8 and 45 years. The control group included 8 healthy subjects [3 females and 5 males] free of schistosomiasis and also from other parasitic diseases. Their ages ranged between 14 and 35 years. All cases were subjected to stool analysis by direct smear method, simple sedimentation technique and egg counting by modified Kato technique. The detection of immune response by IHAT [indirect haemagglutination test], colorimetric technique using MTT [Dimethyl tetrazolium salt] was used to detect lymphoblastic reaction to SEA [schistosoma egg antigen] and to PHA mitogen [phytohaemagglutinin]. The variation in stool egg counts showed insignificant difference in relation to age, IgG titre [IHAT] and lymphoblastic response to SEA and PHA among the patients group. IgG titer was found moderately high in the patients groups. The non specific lymphoblastic response to PHA was significantly higher in control group versus infected group [P < 0.001]. The lymphoblastic reaction to SEA was significantly higher in patients compared to control group [P < 0.001]

Evaluation of toxoplasmosis as a risk factor in abortion

The E.L.I.S.A. test was performed to detect specific antitoxoplasma IgG and IgM among 465 pregnant women in Macca, Saud Arabia. The study included cases who had normal pregnancies and those who had present or past history of abortion. No statistical variation was detected among the two groups. This high prevalence rate of latent infection associated with low risk factor suggested the development of solid immunity against reactivation and subsequent abortion

Toxoplasma infection among pregnant women in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

The enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay [ELISA] was performed to detect toxoplasma antibodies in sera of 336 normal pregnant women attending the anti-natal care clinic in Makkah. Anti-toxoplasma IgM was detected in only one case [0.29%], but IgG was found in 114 cases [33.92%]. Most of the positive cases were 20 to 30 years old. This indicates a relatively high incidence of asymptomatic toxoplasmosis and reflects the state of immunity in pregnant women. This study emphasizes the importance of routine of pregnant women for toxoplasma antibodies especially IgM which indicates possible acute infection and real threat to the foetus