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Huertas-López A, Cantos-Barreda A, Sánchez-Sánchez R, Martínez-Carrasco C, Ibáñez-López FJ, Martínez-Subiela S, Cerón JJ, Álvarez-García G. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the validation of serological methods for detecting anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in humans and animals. Vet Parasitol 2024; 328:110173. [PMID: 38537410 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a paradigmatic zoonotic parasite from the One Health perspective, since it is broadly distributed and virtually infects all warm-blooded species. A wide variety of serological techniques have been developed to detect T. gondii infection in humans and animals. Our aim was to describe and compare the main characteristics of these serological tests and validation processes and to critically analyze whether these tests meet the standards required to ensure an accurate serological diagnosis. The current systematic review and meta-analysis included 134 studies that were published from 2013 to 2023. QUADAS 2 tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. A total of 52 variables related to the characteristics of the techniques and analytical and diagnostic validation parameters were studied. A wider panel of tests was developed for humans, including techniques exclusively developed for humans that involve costly equipment and the measurement of different Ig isotypes that are considered biomarkers of congenital toxoplasmosis. Studies conducted in humans frequently employed commercial techniques as reference tests, measured different immunoglobulin isotypes with a predominance for IgG (>50%) and discriminated between acute and chronic infections. In animals, the most commonly used reference techniques were in-house tests, which almost exclusively detected IgG. Common limitations identified in a large number of studies were some misunderstandings of the terms "gold standard" and "reference test" and the absence of information about the negative and positive control sera used or the exact cutoff employed, which were independent of the quality of the study. There is a lack of analytical validation, with few evaluations of cross-reactivity with other pathogens. Diagnostic odds ratio values showed that indirect ELISA based on native or chimeric antigens performed better than other tests. The reproducibility of serological test results in both humans and animals is not guaranteed due to a lack of relevant information and analytical validation. Thus, several key issues should be considered in the future, including interlaboratory ring trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Huertas-López
- SALUVET group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain; Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, University of Murcia, Murcia, Espinardo 30100, Spain.
| | - Ana Cantos-Barreda
- Animal Health Department, University of Murcia, Murcia, Espinardo 30100, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-A, University of Murcia, Murcia, Espinardo 30100, Spain
| | - Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez
- SALUVET group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | | | - Francisco Javier Ibáñez-López
- Statistical Support Section (SAE), Scientific and Research Area (ACTI), University of Murcia, Murcia, Espinardo 30100, Spain
| | - Silvia Martínez-Subiela
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, University of Murcia, Murcia, Espinardo 30100, Spain
| | - José Joaquín Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, University of Murcia, Murcia, Espinardo 30100, Spain
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain
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Zhou Y, Leahy K, Grose A, Lykins J, Siddiqui M, Leong N, Goodall P, Withers S, Ashi K, Schrantz S, Tesic V, Abeleda AP, Beavis K, Clouser F, Ismail M, Christmas M, Piarroux R, Limonne D, Chapey E, Abraham S, Baird I, Thibodeau J, Boyer KM, Torres E, Conrey S, Wang K, Staat MA, Back N, L’Ollivier C, Mahinc C, Flori P, Gomez-Marin J, Peyron F, Houzé S, Wallon M, McLeod R. Novel paradigm enables accurate monthly gestational screening to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis and more. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011335. [PMID: 38805559 PMCID: PMC11132520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital toxoplasmosis is a treatable, preventable disease, but untreated causes death, prematurity, loss of sight, cognition and motor function, and substantial costs worldwide. OBJECTIVES We asked whether high performance of an Immunochromatographic-test (ICT) could enable accurate, rapid diagnosis/treatment, establishing new, improved care-paradigms at point-of-care and clinical laboratory. METHODS Data were obtained in 12 studies/analyses addressing: 1-feasibility/efficacy; 2-false-positives; 3-acceptability; 4-pink/black-line/all studies; 5-time/cost; 6-Quick-Information/Limit-of-detection; 7, 8-acute;-chronic; 9-epidemiology; 10-ADBio; 11,12-Commentary/Cases/Chronology. FINDINGS ICT was compared with gold-standard or predicate-tests. Overall, ICT performance for 1093 blood/4967 sera was 99.2%/97.5% sensitive and 99.0%/99.7% specific. However, in clinical trial, FDA-cleared-predicate tests initially caused practical, costly problems due to false-positive-IgM results. For 58 persons, 3/43 seronegative and 2/15 chronically infected persons had false positive IgM predicate tests. This caused substantial anxiety, concerns, and required costly, delayed confirmation in reference centers. Absence of false positive ICT results contributes to solutions: Lyon and Paris France and USA Reference laboratories frequently receive sera with erroneously positive local laboratory IgM results impeding patient care. Therefore, thirty-two such sera referred to Lyon's Reference laboratory were ICT-tested. We collated these with other earlier/ongoing results: 132 of 137 USA or French persons had false-positive local laboratory IgM results identified correctly as negative by ICT. Five false positive ICT results in Tunisia and Marseille, France, emphasize need to confirm positive ICT results with Sabin-Feldman-Dye-test or western blot. Separate studies demonstrated high performance in detecting acute infections, meeting FDA, CLIA, WHO REASSURED, CEMark criteria and patient and physician satisfaction with monthly-gestational-ICT-screening. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This novel paradigm using ICT identifies likely false positives or raises suspicion that a result is truly positive, rapidly needing prompt follow up and treatment. Thus, ICT enables well-accepted gestational screening programs that facilitate rapid treatment saving lives, sight, cognition and motor function. This reduces anxiety, delays, work, and cost at point-of-care and clinical laboratories. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04474132, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04474132 ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Karen Leahy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Andrew Grose
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Pritzker School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Joseph Lykins
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Pritzker School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Maryam Siddiqui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Nicole Leong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Perpetua Goodall
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Shawn Withers
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kevin Ashi
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Pritzker School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Stephen Schrantz
- Pritzker School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Chicago Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Vera Tesic
- Pritzker School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Chicago Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Ana Precy Abeleda
- Chicago Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Beavis
- Pritzker School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Chicago Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Fatima Clouser
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Mahmoud Ismail
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Pritzker School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Chicago Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Monica Christmas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Pritzker School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Chicago Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | | | | | - Emmanuelle Chapey
- Institut des agents infectieux, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon, France
| | - Sylvie Abraham
- Laboratory of Parasitologie, Bichat-Claude Bernard Hôpital, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Baird
- The College, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Global Health Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Juliette Thibodeau
- The College, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Global Health Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kenneth M. Boyer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Rush Presbyterian Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Torres
- Group of Molecular Parasitology (GEPAMOL), Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Quindio, Armenia (Quindio), Colombia
| | - Shannon Conrey
- University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kanix Wang
- Carl H. Lindner College of Business, The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Mary Allen Staat
- University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Nancy Back
- University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Coralie L’Ollivier
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose—Pôle Sérologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France; Aix Marseille University, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée, Marseille, France
| | - Caroline Mahinc
- Parasitology and Mycology Laboratory, Pôle de Biologie-Pathologie, University Hospital of Saint Etienne, Saint Etienne, France
| | - Pierre Flori
- Parasitology and Mycology Laboratory, Pôle de Biologie-Pathologie, University Hospital of Saint Etienne, Saint Etienne, France
| | - Jorge Gomez-Marin
- Group of Molecular Parasitology (GEPAMOL), Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Quindio, Armenia (Quindio), Colombia
| | - Francois Peyron
- Institut des agents infectieux, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon, France
| | - Sandrine Houzé
- Laboratory of Parasitologie, Bichat-Claude Bernard Hôpital, Paris, France
| | - Martine Wallon
- Institut des agents infectieux, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon, France
| | - Rima McLeod
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Pritzker School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- The College, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Global Health Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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Dupont D, Robert M, Brenier-Pinchart M, Lefevre A, Wallon M, Pelloux H. Toxoplasma gondii, a plea for a thorough investigation of its oncogenic potential. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22147. [PMID: 38034818 PMCID: PMC10685377 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that 30 % of the world's population harbours the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, particularly in the brain. Beyond its implication in potentially severe opportunistic or congenital infections, this persistence has long been considered as without consequence. However, certain data in animals and humans suggest that this carriage may be linked to various neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders. The hypothesis of a potential cerebral oncogenicity of the parasite is also emerging. In this personal view, we will present the epidemiological arguments in favour of an association between toxoplasmosis and cerebral malignancy, before considering the points that could underlie a potential causal link. More specifically, we will focus on the brain as the preferred location for T. gondii persistence and the propensity of this parasite to interfere with the apoptosis and cell cycle signalling pathways of their host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Dupont
- Institut des Agents Infectieux, Parasitologie Mycologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, 69004, France
- Physiologie intégrée du système d’éveil, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, INSERM U1028-CNRS UMR 5292, Faculté de Médecine, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron, 69500, France
| | - M.G. Robert
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, 38000, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut pour l'Avancée des Biosciences (IAB), INSERM U1209-CNRS UMR 5309, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | - M.P. Brenier-Pinchart
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, 38000, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut pour l'Avancée des Biosciences (IAB), INSERM U1209-CNRS UMR 5309, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | - A. Lefevre
- Institut des Agents Infectieux, Parasitologie Mycologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, 69004, France
| | - M. Wallon
- Institut des Agents Infectieux, Parasitologie Mycologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, 69004, France
- Physiologie intégrée du système d’éveil, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, INSERM U1028-CNRS UMR 5292, Faculté de Médecine, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron, 69500, France
| | - H. Pelloux
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, 38000, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut pour l'Avancée des Biosciences (IAB), INSERM U1209-CNRS UMR 5309, Grenoble, 38000, France
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Briciu V, Ionică AM, Flonta M, Almaș A, Muntean M, Topan A, Horvat M, Ungureanu L, Lupșe M. Toxoplasmosis Screening during Pregnancy in a Romanian Infectious Diseases Tertiary Center: Results of a 15 Years Follow-Up Program. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2189. [PMID: 37764033 PMCID: PMC10537741 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal infection with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy may have serious consequences for the fetus. In Romania, screening for toxoplasmosis is included in the first antenatal visit. A retrospective study was performed on all toxoplasmosis antenatal screening patients between May 2008 and February 2023. Twenty-seven thousand one hundred sixty-nine (27,169) pregnant women presented for prenatal screening once (22,858) or several times: during the same pregnancy (209) or during multiple pregnancies (4102). Thirty-one thousand six hundred fifty-eight (31,658) tests for IgM and IgG antibodies were performed. Nine thousand eighty-three (9083) tests (28.69%), corresponding to 7911 women (29.12%), were positive for IgG antibodies. The seroprevalence increased with patients' age, decreased in time intervals, and was more frequently associated with rural residence. At risk for acquiring the infection during the pregnancy were women with negative anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies (70.88%), but only 0.9% of them presented for rescreening during the same pregnancy. Acute Toxoplasma infection (ATI) was suspected in 44 patients (0.16%) due to IgG seroconversion and/or low or borderline IgG avidity. A questionnaire follow-up interview was performed, and no congenital toxoplasmosis was identified in children born from mothers with probable ATI. Our study demonstrates poor compliance with the screening program in the Romanian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Briciu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mirela Flonta
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ariana Almaș
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Monica Muntean
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adriana Topan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Melinda Horvat
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Liviu Ungureanu
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihaela Lupșe
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Zhou Y, Leahy K, Grose A, Lykins J, Siddiqui M, Leong N, Goodall P, Withers S, Ashi K, Schrantz S, Tesic V, Abeleda AP, Beavis K, Clouser F, Ismail M, Christmas M, Piarroux R, Limonne D, Chapey E, Abraham S, Baird I, Thibodeau J, Boyer K, Torres E, Conrey S, Wang K, Staat MA, Back N, Gomez Marin J, Peyron F, Houze S, Wallon M, McLeod R. Novel paradigm enables accurate monthly gestational screening to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis and more. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.26.23289132. [PMID: 37162985 PMCID: PMC10168490 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.26.23289132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Congenital toxoplasmosis is a treatable, preventable disease, but untreated causes death, prematurity, loss of sight, cognition and motor function, and substantial costs worldwide. Methods/Findings In our ongoing USA feasibility/efficacy clinical trial, data collated with other ongoing and earlier published results proved high performance of an Immunochromatographic-test(ICT) that enables accurate, rapid diagnosis/treatment, establishing new paradigms for care. Overall results from patient blood and/or serum samples tested with ICT compared with gold-standard-predicate-test results found ICT performance for 4606 sera/1876 blood, 99.3%/97.5% sensitive and 98.9%/99.7% specific. However, in the clinical trial the FDA-cleared-predicate test initially caused practical, costly problems due to false-positive-IgM results. For 58 persons, 3/43 seronegative and 2/15 chronically infected persons had false positive IgM predicate tests. This caused substantial anxiety, concerns, and required costly, delayed confirmation in reference centers. Absence of false positive ICT results contributes to solutions: Lyon and Paris France and USA Reference laboratories frequently receive sera with erroneously positive local laboratory IgM results impeding patient care. Therefore, thirty-two such sera referred to Lyon's Reference laboratory were ICT-tested. We collated these with other earlier/ongoing results: 132 of 137 USA or French persons had false positive local laboratory IgM results identified correctly as negative by ICT. Five false positive ICT results in Tunisia and Marseille, France, emphasize need to confirm positive ICT results with Sabin-Feldman-Dye-test or western blot. Separate studies demonstrated high performance in detecting acute infections, meeting FDA, CLIA, WHO ASSURED, CEMark criteria and patient and physician satisfaction with monthly-gestational-ICT-screening. Conclusions/Significance This novel paradigm using ICT identifies likely false positives or raises suspicion that a result is truly positive, rapidly needing prompt follow up and treatment. Thus, ICT enables well-accepted gestational screening programs that facilitate rapid treatment saving lives, sight, cognition and motor function. This reduces anxiety, delays, work, and cost at point-of-care and clinical laboratories. Author’s Summary Toxoplasmosis is a major health burden for developed and developing countries, causing damage to eyes and brain, loss of life and substantial societal costs. Prompt diagnosis in gestational screening programs enables treatment, thereby relieving suffering, and leading to > 14-fold cost savings for care. Herein, we demonstrate that using an ICT that meets WHO ASSURED-criteria identifying persons with/without antibody to Toxoplasma gondii in sera and whole blood with high sensitivity and specificity, is feasible to use in USA clinical practice. We find this new approach can help to obviate the problem of detection of false positive anti- T.gondii IgM results for those without IgG antibodies to T.gondii when this occurs in present, standard of care, predicate USA FDA cleared available assays. Thus, this accurate test facilitates gestational screening programs and a global initiative to diagnose and thereby prevent and treat T.gondii infection. This minimizes likelihood of false positives (IgG and/or IgM) while maintaining maximum sensitivity. When isolated IgM antibodies are detected, it is necessary to confirm and when indicated continue follow up testing in ∼2 weeks to establish seroconversion. Presence of a positive ICT makes it likely that IgM is truly positive and a negative ICT makes it likely that IgM will be a false positive without infection. These results create a new, enthusiastically-accepted, precise paradigm for rapid diagnosis and validation of results with a second-line test. This helps eliminate alarm and anxiety about false-positive results, while expediting needed treatment for true positive results and providing back up distinguishing false positive tests.
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SARS-CoV-2 Serology: Utility and Limits of Different Antigen-Based Tests through the Evaluation and the Comparison of Four Commercial Tests. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123106. [PMID: 36551862 PMCID: PMC9775032 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 serology have several indications. Currently, as there are various types available, it is important to master their performance in order to choose the best test for the indication. We evaluated and compared four different commercial serology tests, three of them had the Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization (FDA-EUA). Our goal was to provide new data to help guide the interpretation and the choice of the serological tests. Methods: Four commercial tests were studied: Elecsys® Roche® on Cobas® (total anti-nucleocapsid (N) antibodies), VIDAS® Biomerieux® (IgM and IgG anti- receptor binding domain (RBD) antibodies), Mindray® (IgM and IgG anti-N and anti-RBD antibodies) and Access® Beckman Coulter® (IgG anti-RBD antibodies). Two panels were tested: a positive panel (n = 72 sera) obtained from COVID-19-confirmed patients with no vaccination history and a negative panel (n = 119) of pre-pandemic sera. The analytical performances were evaluated and the ROC curve was drawn to assess the manufacturer’s cut-off for each test. Results: A large range of variability between the tests was found. The Mindray®IgG and Cobas® tests showed the best overall sensitivity, which was equal to 79.2% CI 95% (67.9−87.8). The Cobas® test showed the best sensitivity after 14 days of COVID-19 molecular confirmation; which was equal to 85.4% CI 95% (72.2−93.9). The Access® test had a lower sensitivity, even after day 14 (55.5% CI 95% (43.4−67.3)). The best specificity was noted for the Cobas®, VIDAS®IgG and Access® IgG tests (100% CI 95% (96.9−100)). The IgM tests, VIDAS®IgM and Mindray®IgM, showed the lowest specificity and sensitivity rates. Overall, only 43 out of 72 sera (59.7%) showed concordant results by all tests. Retained cut-offs for a significantly better sensitivity and accuracy, without significant change in the specificity, were: 0.87 for Vidas®IgM (p = 0.01) and 0.14 for Access® (p < 10−4). The combination of Cobas® with Vidas® IgM and IgG offered the best accuracy in comparison with all other tests combinations. Conclusion: Although using an FDA-EUA approved serology test, each laboratory should carry out its own evaluation. Tests variability may raise some concerns that seroprevalence studies may vary significantly based on the used serology test.
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Meroni V, Genco F, Scudeller L, Brenier-Pinchart MP, Fricker-Hidalgo H, L’Ollivier C, Paris L, Pelloux H. Diagnostic Accuracy of LDBIO-Toxo II IgG and IgM Western Blot in Suspected Seroconversion in Pregnancy: A Multicentre Study. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060665. [PMID: 35745519 PMCID: PMC9231380 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The high sensitivity of the automated tests used for Toxoplasma gondii serology can yield false-positive IgM results due to aspecific reactions. On the other hand, specific therapy can delay IgG production and, therefore, the diagnosis of seroconversion. There is a need for confirmation tests to early detect seroconversions during pregnancy. We conducted a multicentre study to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Toxo II IgG and a new, not yet commercialised Toxo II IgM western blot (WB) (LDBio diagnostics Lyon France) on 229 sera corresponding to 93 patients with seroconversions and 158 sera corresponding to 68 patients with nonspecific IgM. Sensitivity was 97.8% for IgM WB and 98.9% for IgG WB. Specificity was 89.7% and 100%, respectively. The concordance between IgM and IgG Toxo WB with the final diagnosis was very good, K = 0.89 and K = 0.99, respectively. In 5 cases (5.4%), the appearance of IgM, and in 55 cases (59.1%), the appearance of IgG was recorded by WB earlier than by traditional tests. In 10 cases (10.8%), IgM was detected after the traditional tests and in 2 cases (2.2%) for IgG. The association of IgG and IgM WB on the same sample not only detected all seroconversions but also correctly identified most of the false-positive results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Meroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Francesca Genco
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Luigia Scudeller
- UOC Innovation and Research, IRCCS University Hospital Sant’Orsola, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Marie-Pierre Brenier-Pinchart
- Parasitology-Mycology, University Hospital and Grenoble-Alpes University, 38043 Grenoble, France; (M.-P.B.-P.); (H.F.-H.); (H.P.)
| | - Hélène Fricker-Hidalgo
- Parasitology-Mycology, University Hospital and Grenoble-Alpes University, 38043 Grenoble, France; (M.-P.B.-P.); (H.F.-H.); (H.P.)
| | - Coralie L’Ollivier
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée, 13005 Marseille, France;
| | - Luc Paris
- APHP-Sorbonne Université, Parasitology-Mycology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, 75013 Paris, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)1-42-16-01-60
| | - Hervé Pelloux
- Parasitology-Mycology, University Hospital and Grenoble-Alpes University, 38043 Grenoble, France; (M.-P.B.-P.); (H.F.-H.); (H.P.)
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Rodrigues JP, Junior HFDA. Efficiency of a Single well IgG, IgM and IgA Anti T. gondii Fluorimetric Assay for Pre-natal Screening for Congenital Toxoplasmosis. J Fluoresc 2022; 32:661-667. [PMID: 35032281 DOI: 10.1007/s10895-022-02892-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, worldwide protozoan disease, is usually benign, except when acute disease occurs in pregnant women, resulting in fetal infection with deaths or high morbidity after birth. Treatment blocks fetal infection or damage after infection, imposing a quick and effective diagnosis. Maternal infection is mostly asymptomatic thus regular serology are the main tool for detect seroconversion and acute infection in prenatal care. Screening test for specific anti T. gondii IgG, IgM and IgA must be quick, cheaper and available for the prenatal care. Fluorescent solid phase assays appears as a good alternative as they allow one well detection of IgG and IgM aside to allow high throughput in 384 wells. Here, we standardize and analyze a single well anti-T. gondii IgG, IgM and IgA immunosorbent fluorescent assay in a large sample of a public hospital. We construct conjugates for each immunoglobulin with specific fluorophores, which allows concomitant detection in a microplate fluorimeter, with stability and reproducibility, allowing cheaper 384 wells use. Tested in our 600 mother samples from a large public hospital, they presented the same reactivity as standard routine tests, but with adequate IgM and IgA screening, as adequately standardized in house ELISA, while the design of most commercial assays give false positive results. The few TFISA positive IgG, IgM and IgA samples also had low avidity IgG, confirming recent infection. TFISA will help a screening toxoplasmosis in pregnancy program in large cities, with , allowing testing large numbers of samples at low cost and must be considered for other serological purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline Polizeli Rodrigues
- Lab. Protozoology, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pathology Department, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heitor Franco de Andrade Junior
- Lab. Protozoology, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Pathology Department, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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9
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De Mattos LC, Ferreira AIC, de Oliveira KY, Nakashima F, Brandão CC. The Potential Contribution of ABO, Lewis and Secretor Histo-Blood Group Carbohydrates in Infection by Toxoplasma gondii. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:671958. [PMID: 34222043 PMCID: PMC8251793 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.671958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The glycosyltransferases encoded by genes from the human ABO, Lewis, and Secretor histo-blood group systems synthesize part of the carbohydrate antigens in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues. The combined action of these glycosyltransferases strongly influences cell, tissue, mucosa, and exocrine secretion carbohydrate phenotypes, including those serving as habitat for mutualistic and pathogenic microorganisms. A set of reports investigated associations between Toxoplasma gondii infection and the ABO histo-blood group system, but the results are contradictory. As T. gondii uses the gastrointestinal tract as a route for infection, and in this organ, the expression of ABO, Lewis, and Secretor histo-blood group carbohydrates occurs, it is reasonable to suppose some biological relationship between them. This text reviewed association studies published in recent decades focusing on the potential contribution of the ABO, Lewis, and Secretor histo-blood group carbohydrates and infection by T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Carlos De Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine - FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Ana Iara Costa Ferreira
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine - FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Karina Younan de Oliveira
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine - FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Nakashima
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine - FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine - FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil.,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine - FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
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Robert-Gangneux F, Guegan H. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG assays: What performances for what purpose? A systematic review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:39. [PMID: 33904818 PMCID: PMC8078101 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infection with Toxoplasma gondii is attested by the detection of specific anti-Toxoplasma IgG. A wide panel of serologic methods is currently marketed, and the most suitable method should be chosen according to the laboratory resources and the screened population. This systematic review of evaluation studies aimed at establishing an overview of the performances, i.e. sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of marketed anti-Toxoplasma IgG assays, and discussing their technical characteristics to guide further choice for routine diagnostic use. According to PRISMA guidelines, the search performed in PubMed and Web of Science databases recovered 826 studies, of which 17 were ultimately included. Twenty commercial anti-Toxoplasma IgG assays were evaluated, in comparison with an accepted reference method. Most of them were enzyme-immunoassays (EIAs, n = 12), followed by agglutination tests (n = 4), immunochromatographic tests (n = 3), and a Western-Blot assay (WB, n = 1). The mean sensitivity of IgG assays ranged from 89.7% to 100% for standard titers and from 13.4% to 99.2% for low IgG titers. A few studies pointed out the ability of some methods, especially WB to detect IgG early after primary infection. The specificity of IgG assays was generally high, ranging from 91.3% to 100%; and higher than 99% for most EIA assays. The PPV was not a discriminant indicator among methods, whereas significant disparities (87.5%–100%) were reported among NPVs, a key-parameter assessing the ability to definitively rule out a Toxoplasma infection in patients at-risk for opportunistic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Robert-Gangneux
- Université de Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé Environnement Travail), UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Hélène Guegan
- Université de Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé Environnement Travail), UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France
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11
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Dupont D, Fricker-Hidalgo H, Brenier-Pinchart MP, Garnaud C, Wallon M, Pelloux H. Serology for Toxoplasma in Immunocompromised Patients: Still Useful? Trends Parasitol 2020; 37:205-213. [PMID: 33046380 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis represents one of the most common comorbidity factors in solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients as well as in other immunocompromised patients. In the past decades, availability and performance of molecular tools for the diagnosis or the exclusion of toxoplasmosis in these patients have greatly improved. However, if accurately used, serology remains a complementary and essential diagnostic tool for physicians and medical parasitologists for the prevention and management of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients as well. It is required for determination of the immunological status of patients against Toxoplasma. It also helps diagnose and monitor complex cases of opportunistic Toxoplasma infection in immunocompromised patients. New perspectives are available to further enhance their yield and ease of use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Dupont
- Institut des Agents Infectieux, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie Médicale, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, 69004, France; Physiologie intégrée du système d'éveil, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, INSERM U1028-CNRS UMR 5292, Faculté de Médecine, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron, 69500, France.
| | - Hélène Fricker-Hidalgo
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, 38000, France; Institut pour l'Avancée des Biosciences (IAB), INSERM U1209-CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Brenier-Pinchart
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, 38000, France; Institut pour l'Avancée des Biosciences (IAB), INSERM U1209-CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | - Cécile Garnaud
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, 38000, France; Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble INP, TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | - Martine Wallon
- Institut des Agents Infectieux, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie Médicale, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, 69004, France; Physiologie intégrée du système d'éveil, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, INSERM U1028-CNRS UMR 5292, Faculté de Médecine, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron, 69500, France
| | - Hervé Pelloux
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, 38000, France; Institut pour l'Avancée des Biosciences (IAB), INSERM U1209-CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, 38000, France
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