Antigens for detecting toxoplasma infection by monitoring cellular immunity
Antigens of Toxoplasma gondii that provide specific and strong delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) immune response, or which stimulate IFN-y secretion, are used for testing subjects for infection. Any skin testing format may be adapted for testing for the delayed type hypersensitivity, including a patch, a needle, or a prong. Presence of DTH indicates infection. Alternate methods of detecting a T cell response including monitoring IFN-y secretion may be used.
1. An in vitro method of monitoring a T cell response in a T cell from a subject, wherein the subject has not been immunized against Toxoplasma gondii , the method comprising:
contacting the T cell of the subject with a composition comprising an isolated Toxoplasma gondii antigen selected from the group consisting of:
a. isolated and purified MIC1,
b. truncated MIC1,
c. extended MIC1, and
d. combinations thereof, and detecting or quantifying release of a cytokine.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the response is a delayed type hypersensitivity response.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the response is release of a cytokine.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the response is release of interferon-γ.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the T cells are in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the T cells are in a blood sample.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting or quantifying release of interferon-γ.