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. 1997 Sep;41(9):1849–1853. doi: 10.1128/aac.41.9.1849

Use of Toxoplasma gondii expressing beta-galactosidase for colorimetric assessment of drug activity in vitro.

D C McFadden 1, F Seeber 1, J C Boothroyd 1
PMCID: PMC164023  PMID: 9303372

Abstract

A microtiter assay for drug evaluation has been developed with a strain of Toxoplasma gondii that expresses bacterial beta-galactosidase. By using chlorophenol red-beta-D-galactopyranoside (CPRG) as the substrate for beta-galactosidase, the efficacy of a drug against the parasite can be determined with a colorimetric readout. Drugs known to have activity against T. gondii (specifically, pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, atovaquone, and clindamycin) were tested, and efficacies were determined by CPRG cleavage. The 50% inhibitory concentrations determined by the CPRG-based colorimetric assay were similar to those determined by the traditional radiolabelled uracil incorporation assay. Since CPRG is nontoxic to the parasite, viable drug-treated parasites can be obtained at the conclusion of the assay for further evaluation if desired. This assay provides a high-throughput and nonradioactive alternative for the identification of anti-T. gondii compounds.

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Selected References

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