RESUMO
Active infection by T. gondii was evaluated by immunoassay for soluble SAG-1 (p30), the major surface antigen from T. gondii, specific antibodies and immune complexes in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. A total of 263 samples of CSF were collected from hospitalized patients presenting neurological disorders and analyzed for antibodies to HIV. Patients were divided into two groups: HIV positive (n = 96) or HIV negative (n =167). The results of the assays showed that 45 of all samples were positive for soluble SAG-1. Toxoplasma Ag/Ab immune complexes were detected in 19 of the CSF samples and 62 were positive for T. gondii- specific IgG. A combination of these assays in the presence of clinical findings consistent with active Toxoplasma infection may predict the presence of toxoplasmic encephalitis. Moreover, detection of soluble SAG-1 in the CSF of these individuals appears consistent with active infection.
Assuntos
Humanos , Animais , Recém-Nascido , Lactente , Camundongos , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Antígenos de Protozoários/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Complexo Antígeno-Anticorpo/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Imunoglobulina G , Infecções por HIV/imunologia , Proteínas de Protozoários/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Toxoplasma , Antígenos de Superfície/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Infecções por HIV/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Estudos Retrospectivos , Sensibilidade e EspecificidadeRESUMO
Active infection by T. gondii was evaluated by immunoassay for soluble SAG-1 (p30), the major surface antigen from T. gondii, specific antibodies and immune complexes in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. A total of 263 samples of CSF were collected from hospitalized patients presenting neurological disorders and analyzed for antibodies to HIV. Patients were divided into two groups: HIV positive (n = 96) or HIV negative (n =167). The results of the assays showed that 45% of all samples were positive for soluble SAG-1. Toxoplasma Ag/Ab immune complexes were detected in 19% of the CSF samples and 62% were positive for T. gondii- specific IgG. A combination of these assays in the presence of clinical findings consistent with active Toxoplasma infection may predict the presence of toxoplasmic encephalitis. Moreover, detection of soluble SAG-1 in the CSF of these individuals appears consistent with active infection.