Human Anti-Toxoplasma Gondii IgM Antibody, Anti-TOXO IgM ELISA Kit

Toxoplasma gondii is a strictly intracellular parasitic protozoan parasite that infects almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, causing zoonotic toxoplasmosis, and about one-third of the world's population is positive for Toxoplasma gondii. Clinical symptoms caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection depend mainly on the species of Toxoplasma gondii and the immune system of the host, and the pathological changes are mainly characterized by proliferation of the parasite leading to tissue inflammation and necrosis, and to a lesser extent by apoptosis induced by some effector molecules. Infection in immunocompetent individuals is often insidious, with no obvious clinical symptoms, but infection in immunocompromised people or animals can lead to serious consequences and requires effective treatment. In addition, some studies have reported that Toxoplasma gondii infection is associated with certain neuropsychiatric disorders. Toxoplasma gondii may affect the onset and course of schizophrenia through a variety of pathways, including damage to the nervous system, neurotransmitters, and the immune system, but the exact mechanisms are not yet clear.

In humans infected with Toxoplasma gondii, the immune system is continuously stimulated by the antigen to secrete specific antibodies, and the kinetics of antibody production helps to determine the stage of infection. Typically, IgM positivity is used as a marker of acute Toxoplasma gondii infection, and IgG positivity is considered to be in the chronic stage of Toxoplasma gondii infection, although there are instances where IgM persists for years in some individuals. IgG positivity only indicates a previous infection, but does not accurately determine the timing of the infection. Affinity testing refers to IgG potency analysis of two sera from the same individual, collected at 3-week intervals, with an increase in IgG titer over time implying the presence of a recent infection. Infection is initially low affinity and chronic infection is confirmed when high affinity IgG is present.

Figure 1. Dissemination of acute and establishment of chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection
(Source: Matta SK, et al. 2021)

An effective vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii has not yet been developed and medication is still the mainstay. The drugs used in the treatment of acute toxoplasmosis include sulfadiazine, pyrimethamine, spiramycin, etc. However, these drugs can only kill part of the trophozoites, inhibit reproduction, and improve the symptoms. They are not effective in preventing encapsulation, do not kill the encapsulated worms, and may have serious side effects such as hematologic toxicity, allergies, folic acid deficiency, and bone marrow suppression. Atovaquone is the only effective drug in the chronic phase of toxoplasmosis, but its limitation is inadequate oral utilization. In order to overcome these difficulties, many scholars have devoted themselves to exploring new safe, non-toxic and effective anti-Toxoplasma gondii therapeutic drugs.

Anti-T. Gondii IgM