MICROPARTICLE ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY (MEIA) FOR TOXOPLASMA SPECIFIC IMMUNOGLOBULIN-G IN COMPARISON TO THE SABIN-FELDMAN DYE TEST - A PILOT-STUDY

The microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) for detection of Toxoplasm a specific IgG antibodies was compared to the Sabin-Feldman dye test ( DT) as reference in 843 serum samples from a cohort of 757 pregnant wo men. The overall correlation for individual measurements was highly si gnificant (R = 0.9446, p < 0.0001). DT and specific IgM combined allow ed definition of 3 groups of patients: group 1 (no infection), group 2 (latent infection), group 3 (acute infection). A significant differen ce was found between the groups for the corresponding IgG values, as d etermined by the MEIA method, which allowed the following cut-off poin ts to be laid down: group 1: 0-5.2 IU/ml, group 2: 5.3-187.5, and grou p 3: 187.6 IU/ml and higher. The validity of the cut-off points was te sted in a subgroup of 57 patients who underwent serological follow-up during pregnancy. All 15 acutely- and 14 non-infected women, as well a s 25 out of 28 latent infections were identified correctly. 3 latent i nfection were allocated falsely as acute. The threshold values present ed in this report need to be confirmed in a large prospective study.