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Immunolocalization and characterization of the low molecular weight antigen (4–5 kDa) of Toxoplasma gondii that elicits an early IgM response upon primary infection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

S. Tomavo ,
G. Couvreur ,
M. A. Leriche ,
A. Sadak ,
A. Achbarou ,
B. Fortier  and
F. Dubremetz
S. Tomavo
Affiliation:
U.42, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicate, 59650 Villeneuve d' Ascq, France
G. Couvreur
Affiliation:
U.42, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicate, 59650 Villeneuve d' Ascq, France
M. A. Leriche
Affiliation:
U.42, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicate, 59650 Villeneuve d' Ascq, France
A. Sadak
Affiliation:
U.42, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicate, 59650 Villeneuve d' Ascq, France
A. Achbarou
Affiliation:
U.42, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicate, 59650 Villeneuve d' Ascq, France
B. Fortier
Affiliation:
U.42, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicate, 59650 Villeneuve d' Ascq, France
F. Dubremetz
Affiliation:
U.42, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicate, 59650 Villeneuve d' Ascq, France
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Summary

A striking feature of toxoplasmic seroconversion is the prominent and early IgM response to a low molecular weight antigen of 4–5 kDa. Two different monoclonal antibodies directed against the 4–5 kDa antigen have been generated and used to characterize this molecule. Using these monoclonal antibodies, we could demonstrate the surface localization of the low Mr antigen by immunofluorescence and immuno-electron microscopy assays. By immunoblotting, we observed that one of the monoclonal antibodies was unable to recognize the 4–5 kDa antigen in tachyzoites propagated in cell culture, indicating an epitope variability between Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites grown in vivo and in vitro. We discuss the implications of this latter finding in the design of diagnostic reagents.

Keywords

Toxoplasma gondiitoxoplasmic seroconversionIgM responselow molecular weight antigen
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 108 , Issue 2 , February 1994 , pp. 139 - 145
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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