Detection of the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in human colostrum by Raman spectroscopy and principal component analysis

J Biomed Opt. 2007 May-Jun;12(3):034006. doi: 10.1117/1.2749740.

Abstract

More than 60 million people in the United States and 23 million people in Mexico probably are infected with the Toxoplasma parasite, but very few have symptoms because the immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, for people whose immune system is compromised, the consequences can be fatal. Toxoplasmosis is detected indirectly by different serological tests, where the sample requires a previous preparation. We analyze the feasibility to use Raman spectroscopy and principal component analysis (PCA) as an alternative method to detect the presence or absence of antibodies IgG (immunoglobulin G), IgM (immunoglobulin M), and IgA (immunoglobulin A), against Toxoplasma gondii, in a simple and fast way, in samples of human colostrum from a group of volunteers who were in contact with the parasite and others who were not in contact with the parasite.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / analysis*
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / immunology*
  • Colostrum / physiology*
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / immunology
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis / diagnosis*
  • Toxoplasmosis / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan