Antibody reactivity in mice and cats to feline enteroepithelial stages of Toxoplasma gondii

The reactivity of antibodies in mice and cats to feline enteroepithelial st ages of Toxoplasma gondii was examined by means of an indirect immunofluore scent antibody test. Mice immunized with feline enteroepithelial stage (FES ) parasites produced antibodies not only against FES, but also against tach yzoites, sporozoites/oocysts, tissue cysts and one part of the infected fel ine enterocytes. After absorption with tachyzoites, the titer of antibodies reactive to enterocytes was significantly reduced. In contrast, the titer of antibodies reactive to FES remained unchanged. The antibodies from cats immunized with FES, reacted specifically to FES, but not to tachyzoites, ti ssue cysts or enterocytes, These results suggest that FES parasites may hav e stage-specific antigen(s). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.