FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Parasitology international2015; 64(5); 288-294; doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.03.004

Serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in farm animals (horses, swine, and sheep) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using chimeric antigens.

Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii infects all warm-blooded animals including humans, causing serious public health problems and great economic loss in the animal husbandry. Commonly used serological tests for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis involve preparation of whole Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA) from tachyzoites. The production of this antigen is associated with high costs and lengthy preparation and the possibility of staff infection. There are also some difficulties in the standardization of such tests. One approach in order to improve the diagnosis of T. gondii infection is to use recombinant chimeric antigens in place of the TLA, which was confirmed by studies in the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis in humans. In this paper, we assess, for the first time, the diagnostic utility of five T. gondii recombinant chimeric antigens (MIC1-MAG1-SAG1S, SAG1L-MIC1-MAG1, SAG2-GRA1-ROP1S, SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L, and GRA1-GRA2-GRA6) in immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (IgG ELISAs) with sera from three different groups of livestock animals (horses, pigs, and sheep). The reactivity of individual chimeric antigens was analyzed in relation to the results obtained in IgG ELISAs based on a mixture of three antigens (M1: rSAG1+rMIC1+rMAG1, M2: rSAG2+rGRA1+rROP1, and M3: rGRA1+rGRA2+rGRA6) and referenced to TLA. All chimeric antigens were characterized by high specificity (100%), and the sensitivity of the IgG ELISAs based on chimeric antigens was variable (between 28.4% and 100%) and mainly dependent on the animal species. The chimeric antigens were generally more reactive than mixtures of three antigens. The most effective for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L, which can detect specific anti-T. gondii antibodies in 100%, 93.8%, and 100% of positive serum samples from horses, pigs, and sheep, respectively. The present study shows that recombinant chimeric antigens can be successfully used to diagnose T. gondii infection in farm animals, and can replace the commonly used TLA.
Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2015-03-25 PubMed ID: 25817245DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.03.004Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper presents the development and application of a new diagnostic tool for toxoplasmosis infection in farm animals such as horses, pigs, and sheep. The new method uses Toxoplasma gondii recombinant chimeric antigens as an alternative to the current standard of using Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA), promising increased specificity and versatility in detection across different animal species.

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii Infection

  • The Toxoplasma gondii parasite causes toxoplasmosis infection in warm-blooded animals, including humans, leading to significant public health issues and considerable economic impact in livestock farming.
  • Typical serological tests for diagnosing toxoplasmosis use a Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA), derived from the tachyzoite life stage of the parasite.
  • The use of TLA carries challenges such as high production cost, elongated preparation time, potential of staff infection, and issues in test standardization.

Methodology: Use of Chimeric Antigens

  • The study proposes the use of recombinant chimeric antigens instead of TLA to improve the detection of T. gondii infection, a method already confirmed for toxoplasmosis diagnosis in humans.
  • Five T. gondii recombinant chimeric antigens were assessed: MIC1-MAG1-SAG1S, SAG1L-MIC1-MAG1, SAG2-GRA1-ROP1S, SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L, and GRA1-GRA2-GRA6.
  • The diagnostic utility of these antigens was tested using IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (IgG ELISAs) with serum samples from horses, pigs, and sheep.

Results: Improved Diagnostic Performance

  • All tested chimeric antigens exhibited high specificity (100%) while the sensitivity of the IgG ELISAs varied (between 28.4% and 100%), largely dependent on the animal species.
  • These chimeric antigens generally outperformed the mixtures of three antigens (M1: rSAG1+rMIC1+rMAG1, M2: rSAG2+rGRA1+rROP1, and M3: rGRA1+rGRA2+rGRA6) in reactivity.
  • The chimeric antigen SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L was most effective for toxoplasmosis diagnosis, detecting specific anti-T. gondii antibodies in 100%, 93.8%, and 100% of positive serum samples from horses, pigs, and sheep, respectively.

Conclusion: Towards Better Toxoplasmosis Diagnosis

  • This study demonstrated that recombinant chimeric antigens could effectively diagnose T. gondii infection in farm animals.
  • The application of these antigens could replace the use of TLA, overcoming the various challenges associated with the latter method.

Cite This Article

APA
Ferra B, Holec-Gąsior L, Kur J. (2015). Serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in farm animals (horses, swine, and sheep) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using chimeric antigens. Parasitol Int, 64(5), 288-294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2015.03.004

Publication

Parasitology international
ISSN: 1873-0329
NlmUniqueID: 9708549
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 64
Issue: 5
Pages: 288-294
PII: S1383-5769(15)00056-2

Researcher Affiliations

Ferra, Bartłomiej
  • Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12 Street, Gdańsk 80-233, Poland.
Holec-Gąsior, Lucyna
  • Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12 Street, Gdańsk 80-233, Poland.
Kur, Józef
  • Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12 Street, Gdańsk 80-233, Poland. Electronic address: kur@pg.gda.pl.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Serologic Tests / methods
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / diagnosis
  • Sheep Diseases / parasitology
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / diagnosis
  • Swine Diseases / parasitology
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasmosis / diagnosis
  • Toxoplasmosis / parasitology

Citations

This article has been cited 26 times.
  1. Holec-Gąsior L, Sołowińska K. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Small Ruminants: Old Problems, and Current Solutions. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 23;13(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13172696pubmed: 37684960google scholar: lookup
  2. Chyb M, Dziadek B, Dzitko K, Ferra BT, Kawka M, Holec-Gąsior L, Gatkowska J. Evaluation of long-term immunity and protection against T. gondii after immunization with multivalent recombinant chimeric T. gondii proteins. Sci Rep 2023 Aug 10;13(1):12976.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-40147-zpubmed: 37563166google scholar: lookup
  3. Medina Hernández JD, Osorio Delgado LA, Zabala Gonzalez D, De Almeida Vitor RW, Gómez JE, Carranza JC, Vallejo GA. Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in meat for human consumption in Ibague, Colombia. Biomedica 2022 Mar 1;42(1):136-146.
    doi: 10.7705/biomedica.6251pubmed: 35471176google scholar: lookup
  4. Udonsom R, Nishikawa Y, Fereig RM, Topisit T, Kulkaweewut N, Chanamrung S, Jirapattharasate C. Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus indicus) in Thailand. Pathogens 2021 Dec 21;11(1).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens11010002pubmed: 35055950google scholar: lookup
  5. Kim MJ, Mao J, Kang HJ, Chu KB, Quan FS. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Infections using Virus-Like Particles Displaying T. gondii ROP4 Antigen. Korean J Parasitol 2021 Dec;59(6):565-572.
    doi: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.6.565pubmed: 34974663google scholar: lookup
  6. Song Y, Zhao Y, Pan K, Shen B, Fang R, Hu M, Zhao J, Zhou Y. Characterization and evaluation of a recombinant multiepitope peptide antigen MAG in the serological diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs. Parasit Vectors 2021 Aug 17;14(1):408.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-021-04917-wpubmed: 34404476google scholar: lookup
  7. Droppa-Almeida D, Ferreira CS, Brito I, Borsuk S, Rodríguez JAL, Lima-Verde IB, Padilha FF. In Silico Screening of Putative Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Antigens and Serological Diagnosis for Caseous Lymphadenitis in Sheep by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Vet Med Int 2021;2021:9931731.
    doi: 10.1155/2021/9931731pubmed: 34373777google scholar: lookup
  8. Liyanage KLDTD, Wiethoelter A, Hufschmid J, Jabbar A. Descriptive Comparison of ELISAs for the Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Animals: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2021 May 15;10(5).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens10050605pubmed: 34063342google scholar: lookup
  9. Zhao P, Zhang N, Dong J, Li J, Wang X, Li X, Li X, Yang J, Gong P, Zhang X. Effects of Dense Granular Protein 6 (GRA6) Disruption on Neospora caninum Virulence. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:562730.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.562730pubmed: 33195538google scholar: lookup
  10. Ferra B, Holec-Gąsior L, Grąźlewska W. Toxoplasma gondii Recombinant Antigens in the Serodiagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Domestic and Farm Animals. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jul 22;10(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10081245pubmed: 32707821google scholar: lookup
  11. Ferra B, Holec-Gąsior L, Gatkowska J, Dziadek B, Dzitko K. Toxoplasma gondii Recombinant antigen AMA1: Diagnostic Utility of Protein Fragments for the Detection of IgG and IgM Antibodies. Pathogens 2020 Jan 5;9(1).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens9010043pubmed: 31948063google scholar: lookup
  12. Holec-Gąsior L, Ferra B, Grąźlewska W. Toxoplasma gondii Tetravalent Chimeric Proteins as Novel Antigens for Detection of Specific Immunoglobulin G in Sera of Small Ruminants. Animals (Basel) 2019 Dec 13;9(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani9121146pubmed: 31847285google scholar: lookup
  13. Gatkowska J, Dzitko K, Ferra BT, Holec-Gąsior L, Kawka M, Dziadek B. The Impact of the Antigenic Composition of Chimeric Proteins on Their Immunoprotective Activity against Chronic Toxoplasmosis in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2019 Oct 18;7(4).
    doi: 10.3390/vaccines7040154pubmed: 31635267google scholar: lookup
  14. Ferra BT, Holec-Gąsior L, Gatkowska J, Dziadek B, Dzitko K, Grąźlewska W, Lautenbach D. The first study on the usefulness of recombinant tetravalent chimeric proteins containing fragments of SAG2, GRA1, ROP1 and AMA1 antigens in the detection of specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in mouse and human sera. PLoS One 2019;14(6):e0217866.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217866pubmed: 31170254google scholar: lookup
  15. Hao P, Cui X, Liu J, Li M, Fu Y, Liu Q. Identification and characterization of stearoyl-CoA desaturase in Toxoplasma gondii. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2019 Jun 20;51(6):615-626.
    doi: 10.1093/abbs/gmz040pubmed: 31139819google scholar: lookup
  16. Rostami A, Karanis P, Fallahi S. Advances in serological, imaging techniques and molecular diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Infection 2018 Jun;46(3):303-315.
    doi: 10.1007/s15010-017-1111-3pubmed: 29330674google scholar: lookup
  17. Jennes M, De Craeye S, Devriendt B, Dierick K, Dorny P, Cox E. Strain- and Dose-Dependent Reduction of Toxoplasma gondii Burden in Pigs Is Associated with Interferon-Gamma Production by CD8(+) Lymphocytes in a Heterologous Challenge Model. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017;7:232.
    doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00232pubmed: 28642841google scholar: lookup
  18. Gondim LFP, Mineo JR, Schares G. Importance of serological cross-reactivity among Toxoplasma gondii, Hammondia spp., Neospora spp., Sarcocystis spp. and Besnoitia besnoiti. Parasitology 2017 Jun;144(7):851-868.
    doi: 10.1017/S0031182017000063pubmed: 28241894google scholar: lookup
  19. Hao P, Alaraj IQ, Dulayymi JR, Baird MS, Liu J, Liu Q. Sterculic Acid and Its Analogues Are Potent Inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii. Korean J Parasitol 2016 Apr;54(2):139-45.
    doi: 10.3347/kjp.2016.54.2.139pubmed: 27180571google scholar: lookup
  20. Formigo P, Gual I, Cantón GJ, Mendoza Morales LF, Sosa E, Soto Cabrera A, Scioli V, Morsella C, Sander VA, Moore DP, Angel SO, Campero LM, Clemente M. Different kinetics of humoral response against individual antigens in the ovine model of Toxoplasma gondii infection and its pathological association. Front Immunol 2025;16:1701645.
    doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1701645pubmed: 41346605google scholar: lookup
  21. Meira-Santos PO, Piedade GC, Guedes MT, Loureiro D, Raynal JT, Meyer R, Vicentini L, Soares L, Fux B, Portela RW. The Acute Immune Response in Sheep Following Immunization with Toxoplasma gondii Tachyzoites or Parasite-Derived Glycoconjugates. Vet Sci 2025 Sep 24;12(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12100928pubmed: 41150067google scholar: lookup
  22. Thongpoo P, Methawiroon J, Mangkit B, Rucksaken R, Sussadee M, Rangubpit W, Unajak S, Jittapalapong S, Suwan E. The Development of TIM-Barrel Based Multi-Epitope Protein for Toxoplasma gondii Serological Detection in Cats. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 26;15(13).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15131893pubmed: 40646792google scholar: lookup
  23. Wang J, Zhao Y, Qiu J, Liu J, Zhou R, Ma X, Wu X, Li X, Mao W, Liu Y, Zhang H. Development of an Immunochromatographic Test with Recombinant MIC2-MIC3 Fusion Protein for Serological Detection of Toxoplasma gondii. Vet Sci 2025 May 22;12(6).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12060509pubmed: 40559746google scholar: lookup
  24. Naghash Hoseini HS, Ahmadi TS, Mousavi Gargari SL, Nazarian S. IgY-mediated protection against Vibrio cholerae infection: Efficacy of avian antibodies targeting a chimeric recombinant protein. Bioimpacts 2025;15:30292.
    doi: 10.34172/bi.30292pubmed: 40161939google scholar: lookup
  25. Ferra BT, Chyb M, Sołowińska K, Holec-Gąsior L, Skwarecka M, Baranowicz K, Gatkowska J. The Development of Toxoplasma gondii Recombinant Trivalent Chimeric Proteins as an Alternative to Toxoplasma Lysate Antigen (TLA) in Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the Detection of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in Small Ruminants. Int J Mol Sci 2024 Apr 16;25(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ijms25084384pubmed: 38673969google scholar: lookup
  26. Shariatzadeh SA, Sarvi S, Hosseini SA, Sharif M, Gholami S, Pagheh AS, Montazeri F, Nayeri T, Nakhaei M, Mikaeili Galeh T, Daryani A. The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in bovines: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasitology 2021 Oct;148(12):1417-1433.
    doi: 10.1017/S0031182021001116pubmed: 34187606google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 100,129 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.