Frequency of specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM, IgA and IgE in Colombian patients with acute and chronic ocular toxoplasmosis

ABSTRACT

We studied the frequency of specific anti-Toxoplasma IgM, IgA and IgE antibodies in serum of 28 immunocompetent Colombian patients, selected by ophthalmologists and with lesions that were compatible with ocular toxoplasmosis. Patients were classified in three groups: (i) group 1 consisted of ten patients with a first episode; (ii) group 2, with seven patients with a recurrence and (iii) group 3, consisted of eleven patients with chronic chorioretinal lesion without uveitis. We found that 10/28 (35 per cent) of Colombian patients with ocular toxoplasmosis possessed at least one serological marker for Toxoplasma infection different from IgG. In group 1 (first episode), we found simultaneous presence of specific IgM plus IgA plus IgE in 1/10 (10 per cent). In group 2 (recurrences) in 1/7 (14 per cent) we found IgM and IgA test positives and in 1/7 (14 per cent) we found IgM and IgE tests positives. In group 3 (toxoplasmic chorioretinal scar) the IgA serological test was positive in 2/11 (18 per cent). These results show that serum IgM or IgA or IgE can be present during recurrences.