U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Hill, Doloresitem
                                            COSS, CATHLEEN - Former ARS Employeeitem
                                            Dubey, Jitenderitem
                                            WROBLEWSKI, KRISTEN - University Of Chicagoitem
                                            SAUTTER, MARI - University Of Chicagoitem
                                            HOSTEN, TIFFANY - University Of Chicagoitem
                                            MUNOZ-ZANZI, CLAUDIA - University Of Minnesotaitem
                                            MUI, ERNEST - University Of Chicagoitem
                                            WITHERS, SHAWN - University Of Chicagoitem
                                            BOYER, KENNETH - Rush University Medical Centeritem
                                            HERMES, GRETCHEN - University Of Chicagoitem
                                            COYNE, JESSICA - University Of Chicagoitem
                                            JAGDIS, FRANK - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United Statesitem
                                            BURNETT, ANDREW - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United Statesitem
                                            MCCLEOD, PATRICK - University Of Chicagoitem
                                            MORTON, HOLMES - Clinic For Special Childrenitem
                                            ROBINSON, DONNA - Clinic For Special Childrenitem
                                            MCLEOD, RIMA - University Of Chicago
  Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 3/3/2011
                                    Publication  Date: 5/1/2011
                                    Citation: Hill, D.E., Coss, C., Dubey, J.P., Wroblewski, K., Sautter, M., Hosten, T., Munoz-Zanzi, C., Mui, E., Withers, S., Boyer, K., Hermes, G., Coyne, J., Jagdis, F., Burnett, A., Mccleod, P., Morton, H., Robinson, D., Mcleod, R. 2011. Identification of a sporozoite-specific antigen from Toxoplasma gondii. Journal of Parasitology. 97(2):328-337.Interpretive Summary: Toxoplasmosis causes loss of sight, neurologic function, and life. Frequency with which infections were 
caused by oocysts and implications of acquisition of oocysts had not been explored. An 18.3 kDa sporozoite specific protein was discovered and an assay developed to determine whether and when serum antibody to this protein detects infection acquired from ingestion of oocysts. Sera from 72 uninfected, 59 chronically infected, and 35 acutely infected persons in 4 North American epidemics [laboratory, N=6; riding stable, N=17; family, N=8; Victoria, Canada, N=3], and 76 mothers of newborn, congenitally infected children in the NCCCTS were studied. Associations with perceived risk factors, demographics, and clinical findings were characterized for the mothers.  Serum antibody to the 18.3 kDa sporozoite protein identified primary infection with sporozoites acquired within <8 months. Four North American epidemics and 78% of congenital infections were caused by oocysts.  Only 49% of mothers infected by oocysts recognized significant exposure to oocysts [Specificity, 71% (95% CI [44%, 90%]); Sensitivity, 49% (95% CI [36%, 63%]); Positive predictive value, 85% (95% CI [69%, 95%]); Negative predictive value, 29% (95% CI [16%, 45%])].
                                Technical Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite that causes the disease toxoplasmosis.  Toxoplasmosis results in the loss of life, sight, cognitive and motor function, and hearing in congenitally infected individuals.  While the sources of T. gondii infection have been established, the factors influencing pathogenesis in humans, such as the predominant mode of acquisition and how this might impact its prevention are not well characterized.  Existing serologic assays can only determine previous exposure to the parasite.  We hypothesized that understanding the epidemiology of the infection would allow for developing the best means to prevent it.  Therefore, in this study we developed an assay that differentiates between cat borne and meat borne infection.  Detection of serum antibody to an 18.3 kDa sporozoite protein was a sensitive and specific method to identify primary infection by sporozoites within the past 6-8 months in persons infected post-natally.  Presence of serum antibody to sporozoite 18.3 kDa protein identifies acquisition of infection with oocysts in the prior ~6 months. Unrecognized exposure to T. gondii oocysts is a significant cause of infection of humans in North America. Although educational programs describing hygienic measures may be beneficial, only systematic serologic testing of pregnant women and newborns and consequent treatment, or vaccines, will prevent congenital toxoplasmosis in North America.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov