Detection of Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgA in the aqueous humor of cats

Am J Vet Res. 1995 Jun;56(6):774-8.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgA, IgM, and IgG were measured by ELISA in the serum and aqueous humor of 29 client-owned cats with endogenous uveitis and 7 specific-pathogen-free cats tested sequentially for 20 weeks after inoculation with T gondii. Local antibody production in aqueous humor was estimated by multiplying the aqueous humor-to-serum T gondii-specific antibody ratio by the serum-to-aqueous humor total IgG (C value) or calicivirus-specific IgG (CTC value) ratio. Evidence for local production of antibody in aqueous humor was defined as C value greater than 8 or CTC value greater than 1. Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgM CTC values, IgG CTC values, or IgA CTC values greater than 1 were detected in the aqueous humor of 18 of 29 (62.1%) client-owned cats with endogenous uveitis; 2 cats had IgA CTC values greater than 1 without detectable IgM or IgG in aqueous humor. Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgM was not detected in the aqueous humor of experimentally inoculated cats before or after inoculation. Immunoglobulin G C values greater than 8 were detected in all 7 experimentally inoculated cats and ranged from 10.4 to 145.5. Immunoglobulin G C values greater than 8 were first detected 4 to 8 weeks after T gondii inoculation and were undetectable by week 16 after inoculation. Immunoglobulin A C values greater than 8 were detected in 4 of 7 cats and ranged from 12.7 to 264.3. Immunoglobulin A C values greater than 8 were first detected 4 to 8 weeks after inoculation, and were detected in 2 cats during week 20 after inoculation. It was concluded that some cats infected with T gondii develop detectable concentrations of T gondii-specific IgA in aqueous humor.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Antigens, Protozoan / analysis*
  • Aqueous Humor / immunology*
  • Cat Diseases
  • Cats
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis*
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin M / analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / veterinary

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M