Identification of Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Congenital and Acute Toxoplasmosis

Abstract

Background The diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis can be inconclusive in many cases. Despite the several serological tests developed, the literature on biomarkers that can assist in the diagnosis of congenital an acute toxoplasmosis is limited. The objective of this study was analyze the immunoreactive profile of T. gondii protein bands with the potential to be biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of congenital and acute toxoplasmosis. Methods Peripheral blood samples from women of childbearing age and/or pregnant women diagnosed with acquired toxoplasmosis as well as from congenitally infected children were selected and submitted to Immunoblotting for analysis of the immunoreactive bands profile by IgG antibodies. Results When comparing the immunoreactive bands profile for antibodies present in samples from different groups and subgroups, the 150, 18.5 and 16.96 kDa bands were more immunoreactive by the antibodies present in serum samples from the acquired infection group. The 343, 189, 150, 75 and 42 kDa bands showed more chance to be detected by the symptomatic congenital infection subgroup, while the 61, 50 and 16.96 kDa bands were significantly immunoreactive by the acute infection subgroup. Conclusions The identification of these potential biomarkers can assist in an early diagnosis and treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis.