DETECTION OF COLLAGEN-CROSS REACTIVE ANTIGENIC COMPONENTS IN TOXOPLASMA-GONDII

Using several immunologic techniques, the reactivity of anti-bovine co llagen Type specific antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii was examined . Antibodies specific for bovine Type I, II and IV collagen showed rel atively high affinity to the parasites. Treatment of T. gondii cysts w ith collagenase, induced cyst wall rupture. Results of the study sugge st the presence of collagen cross-reactive component(s) in the parasit e. Similarly, the cyst wall outer surface may contain amino add sequen ces recognized by collagenase. This paper documents the first report o f collagen cross- reactive antigenic components of T. gondii.