Detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii: evaluation of four commercial immunoassay systems

J Clin Microbiol. 1997 Dec;35(12):3313-5. doi: 10.1128/jcm.35.12.3313-3315.1997.

Abstract

A comparative evaluation of the following commercial immunoassays for the determination of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was performed: Behring Diagnostics OPUS Toxo G and Toxo M, Abbott Diagnostics IMX Toxo-IgG 2.0 and Toxo-IgM, Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur Platelia Toxo IgG and Toxo IgM, and bioMérieux Vitek VIDAS Toxo IgG and IgM. Of 676 specimens that were tested for Toxoplasma-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, 26% were reactive by all methods while 8% displayed some discrepancy. Of 718 specimens that were tested for Toxoplasma-specific IgM antibodies, 3% were reactive by all methods while 10% displayed some discrepancy. Analysis of discrepant specimens revealed performance shortcomings with all IgM-specific assays. The impact of such shortcomings is magnified in a population with a low prevalence of toxoplasmosis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / methods*
  • Immunoassay / statistics & numerical data
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Parasitology / methods*
  • Parasitology / statistics & numerical data
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis / diagnosis*
  • Toxoplasmosis / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M