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Journal of Clinical Microbiology logoLink to Journal of Clinical Microbiology
. 1997 Dec;35(12):3313–3315. doi: 10.1128/jcm.35.12.3313-3315.1997

Detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii: evaluation of four commercial immunoassay systems.

W T Hofgärtner 1, S R Swanzy 1, R M Bacina 1, J Condon 1, M Gupta 1, P E Matlock 1, D L Bergeron 1, J J Plorde 1, T R Fritsche 1
PMCID: PMC230172  PMID: 9399544

Abstract

A comparative evaluation of the following commercial immunoassays for the determination of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was performed: Behring Diagnostics OPUS Toxo G and Toxo M, Abbott Diagnostics IMX Toxo-IgG 2.0 and Toxo-IgM, Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur Platelia Toxo IgG and Toxo IgM, and bioMérieux Vitek VIDAS Toxo IgG and IgM. Of 676 specimens that were tested for Toxoplasma-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, 26% were reactive by all methods while 8% displayed some discrepancy. Of 718 specimens that were tested for Toxoplasma-specific IgM antibodies, 3% were reactive by all methods while 10% displayed some discrepancy. Analysis of discrepant specimens revealed performance shortcomings with all IgM-specific assays. The impact of such shortcomings is magnified in a population with a low prevalence of toxoplasmosis.

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Selected References

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