Evaluation of Recombinant SAG1 Protein for Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Specific Immunoglobulin M by ELISA Test

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is a serious disease in immunocompromised patients and pregnant women. Differentiation of acute and chronic infection is a major challenge in serodiagnosis of the disease. Since the aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic utility of recombinant SAG1 (rec-SAG1) for the detection of Toxoplasma-specific IgM antibodies in human sera, by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). METHODS: The purified recombinant protein SAG1 was applied in house ELISA test and the ability of it in binding to specific immunoglobulin M in 30 serum samples of acute infected patients was evaluated. The results obtained by assays with the recombinant SAG1 and standard commercial assays were compared. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of in house ELISA compared to a standard commercial ELISA (com-ELISA) were 80% and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the rec-SAG1 could be an alternative marker for detection of anti Toxoplasma-specific IgM and diagnosis of acute infection.