Antigens of Toxoplasma gondii with a diagnostic and potential immunoprophylactic value: new strategies of identification

Toxoplasma gondii is an ubiquitous protozoan parasite which induces severe pathology in in utero infected children and in immunosuppressed patients (particularly in the case of AIDS). Previous work that focused on toxoplasma somatic antigens failed to demonstrate an efficient protection against highly virulent T. gondii strains. The authors therefore first studied the role of parasite excreted-secreted (ES) antigens in the immune response. They describe here the preparation of excreted-secreted antigens in cell-free medium from tachyzoites, the intracellular proliferative stage present during acute infection. Major ES antigens have Mr of 108 K, 97 K, 86 K, 57 K, 42 K, 39 K, 28.5 K, 27 K and 21 K. The protective role of ES antigens has been demonstrated using congenitally athymic (Nu/Nu) rats that are highly sensitive to T. gondii infection (+/+ Fischer rats are resistant). The humoral and cellular components of this protection have been studied by the passive transfer either of sera or of T lymphocytes from ES-immunized +/+ Fischer rats into Nu/Nu rats. Adoptive transfers were carried out 24 hours before infection with the highly virulent T. gondii RH strain. Based on the concept of concomitant immunity, the authors have characterized antigens from tachyzoites and bradyzoites (the encysted stage persisting during chronic infection) which share common epitopes. Four tachyzoite antigens, P63, GP43, P39 and GP 28.5 have been shown by immunoprecipitation to cross-react with bradyzoite antigens. Two monoclonal antibodies raised against ES antigens permitted to demonstrate the localization of the 28.5 K and 27 K antigens inside the dense granules of tachyzoites and bradyzoites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)