New Set of Toxoplasma Gondii Monoclonal Abs Released

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 25 Jan 2010

A new set of monoclonal antibodies to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been introduced to the market.

The four different antigen specificities include T. gondii major surface antigen (SAG1) and micronemal homodimeric protein (MIC 3). All antibodies function in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and western blot immunoassay. The new antibody tools offer the potential for rapid antigen detection as well as for serology.

Image: Colored transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a Toxoplasma gondii protozoan (Photo courtesy Dr. Klaus Boller / SPL).

T. gondii is a common parasite that infects many animals including humans. It is usually asymptomatic in a healthy host. However, immunocompromised individuals, including the human fetus, are highly susceptible to infection by this parasite, which can cause serious harm.

The monoclonal antibodies were released by ViroStat, Inc. (Portland, ME, USA). The company is a primary manufacturer of infectious disease antigens and antibodies. It produces high affinity antibodies to Influenza A and B viruses, Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) and Streptococcus type A for use in rapid lateral flow devices. It also produces antibodies to food-borne pathogens and toxins. In anti-viral high-throughput system (HTS) assays, it offers many specificities to hepatitis C and B viruses (HCV, HBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) for use in diagnostics and clinical research.

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ViroStat, Inc.