| Abstract: | The aim of this study was to evaluate an enzyme-linked immunoassay with recombinant
rhoptry protein 2 (ELISA-rROP2) for its ability to detectToxoplasma
gondii ROP2-specific IgG in samples from pregnant women. The study
included 236 samples that were divided into groups according to serological screening
profiles for toxoplasmosis: unexposed (n = 65), probable acute infection (n = 48),
possible acute infection (n = 58) and exposed to the parasite (n = 65). When an
indirect immunofluorescence assay forT. gondii-specific IgG was
considered as a reference test, the ELISA-rROP2 had a sensitivity of 61.8%,
specificity of 62.8%, predictive positive value of 76.6% and predictive negative
value of 45.4% (p = 0.0002). The ELISA-rROP2 reacted with 62.5% of the samples from
pregnant women with probable acute infection and 40% of the samples from pregnant
women with previous exposure (p = 0.0180). Seropositivity was observed in 50/57
(87.7%) pregnant women with possible infection. The results underscored that
T. gondii rROP2 is recognised by specific IgG antibodies in both
the acute and chronic phases of toxoplasmosis acquired during pregnancy. However, the
sensitivity of the ELISA-rROP2 was higher in the pregnant women with probable and
possible acute infections and IgM reactivity. |
