[Ocular toxoplasmosis: value of immunoblotting for the determination of an intra-ocular synthesis of antibodies]

Abstract

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the intraocular synthesis of specific antibodies in case of Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis on the basis of immunoblot analysis. Vitreous or aqueous and serum were analyzed by immunoblot in four cases of toxoplasmic chorioretinitis. The same assays were performed on samples from 16 control subjects. Immunoblot analysis of serum and ocular fluid from patients with toxoplasmic chorioretinitis showed IgG and IgA specific antibodies. Recognition patterns were different and demonstrated neo-antibodies in ocular fluid. In control samples only IgG were found and the same patterns were observed in the two compartments. Immunoblot is a useful technique to demonstrate the local synthesis of antibodies in ocular toxoplasmosis by comparison of recognition patterns between serum and ocular fluids. Integration of immunoblot patterns allows quantification of antibodies specific for each Toxoplasma antigen in the two compartments.