Abstract: The present invention relates to combinations or mixtures of antigens which may be used in the detection of IgM and/or IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii as well as to the P35 antigen which may be used to distinguish acute from chronic Toxoplasmosis. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to methods of using these combinations of antigens, antibodies raised against these combinations of antigens or against the novel P29 antigen thereof, as well as kits and vaccines containing the antigens present in the combinations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to combinations or mixtures of antigens which may be used in the detection of IgM and/or IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii as well as to the P35 antigen which may be used to distinguish acute from chronic toxoplasmosis. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to methods of using these combinations of antigens, antibodies raised against these combinations of antigens or against the novel P29 antigen thereof, as well as kits and vaccines containing the antigens present in the combinations.

Abstract: Genetic material encoding the P28 peptide of Toxoplasma gondii has been isolated and characterized. This genetic material allows the production of peptides for use in diagnosis or immunization or can itself be directly used in hybridization assays.

Abstract: A method of reducing the severity of toxoplasmosis resulting from infection of a patient with Toxoplasma gondii by administering to a patient in need of such treatment, either after infection or before exposure to infection, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that is a spiropiperidyl derivative of rifamycin S, wherein the derivative comprises an imidazole ring that includes carbons at positions 3 and 4 of the rifamycin ring, the carbon at position 2 of the imidazole ring also being a ring carbon at position 4 of a piperidine ring system, thereby forming a spiropiperidyl ring system, the spiropiperidyl ring system optionally comprising a lower hydrocarbon substituent on the nitrogen of the piperidine.

Abstract: Genetic material encoding the P28 peptide of Toxoplasma gondii has been isolated and characterized. This genetic material allows the production of peptides for use in diagnosis or immunization or can itself be directly used in hybridization assays.

Abstract: A method of reducing the severity of toxoplasmosis resulting from infection of a patient with Toxoplasma gondii by administering to a patient in need of such treatment, either after infection or before exposure to infection, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that is a spiropiperidyl derivative of rifamycin S, wherein the derivative comprises an imidazole ring that includes carbons at positions 3 and 4 of the rifamycin ring, the carbon at position 2 of the imidazole ring also being a ring carbon at position 4 of a piperidine ring system, thereby forming a spiropiperidyl ring system, the spiropiperidyl ring system optionally comprising a lower hydrocarbon substituent on the nitrogen of the piperidine.

Abstract: A method of reducing the severity of toxoplasmosis resulting from infection of a patient with Toxoplasma gondii by administering to a patient in need of such treatment, either after infection or before exposure to infection, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that is a spiropiperidyl derivative of rifamycin S, wherein the derivative comprises an imidazole ring that includes carbons at positions 3 and 4 of the rifamycin ring, the carbon at position 2 of the imidazole ring also being a ring carbon at position 4 of a piperidine ring system, thereby forming a spiropiperidyl ring system, the spiropiperidyl ring system optionally comprising a lower hydrocarbon substituent on the nitrogen of the piperidine.

Abstract: A method of reducing the severity of toxoplasmosis resulring from infection of a patient with Toxoplasma gondii by administering to a patient in need of such treatment, either after infection or before exposure to infection, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that is a spiropiperidyl derivative of rifamycin S, wherein the derivative comprises an imidazole ring that includes carbons at positions 3 and 4 of the rifamycin ring, the carbon at position 2 of the imidazole ring also being a ring carbon at position 4 of a piperidine ring system, thereby forming a spiropiperidyl ring system, the spiropiperidyl ring system optionally comprising a lower hydrocarbon substituent on the nitrogen of the piperidine.

Abstract: A method of reducing the severity of toxoplasmosis resulting from infection of a patient with Toxoplasma gondii by administering to a patient in need of such treatment, either after infection or before exposure to infection, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that is a spiropiperidyl derivative of rifamycin S, wherein the derivative comprises an imidazole ring that includes carbons at positions 3 and 4 of the rifamycin ring, the carbon at position 2 of the imidazole ring also being a ring carbon at position 4 of a piperidine ting system, thereby forming a spiropiperidyl ring system, the spiropiperidyl ring system optionally comprising a lower hydrocarbon substituent on the nitrogen of the piperidine.

Abstract: Genetic material encoding the P28 peptide of Toxoplasma gondii has been isolated and characterized. This genetic material allows the production of peptides for use in diagnosis or immunization or can itself be directly used in hybridization assays.

Abstract: A method of reducing the severity of toxoplasmosis resulting from infection of a patient with Toxoplasma gondii by administering to a patient in need of such treatment, either after infection or before exposure to infection, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that is a spiropiperidyl derivative of rifamycin S, wherein the derivative comprises an imidazole ring that includes carbons at positions 3 and 4 of the rifamycin ring, the carbon at position 2 of the imidazole ring also being a ring carbon at position 4 of a piperidine ring system, thereby forming a spiropiperidyl ring system, the spiropiperidyl ring system optionally comprising a lower hydrocarbon substituent on the nitrogen of the piperidine.

Abstract: Genetic material encoding the P22 peptide of Toxoplasma gondii has been isolated and characterized. This genetic material allows the production of peptides for use in diagnosis or immunization or can itself be directly used in hybridization assays.

Abstract: Genetic material encoding the P22 peptide of Toxoplasma gondii has been isolated and characterized. This genetic material allows the production of peptides for use in diagnosis or immunization or can itself be directly used in hybridization assays.

Abstract: A method of use of azithromycin or derivatives of azithromycin in the treatment of infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii in mammals is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of detecting Toxoplasma infection and distinguishing acute infection from chronic infection is provided, comprising the steps of combining a sample suspected of containing antibodies to Toxoplasma antigens with a acute-phase-specific antigen reactive with an antibody specific for an acetone-treated Toxoplasma antigen under conditions favorable for formation of antigen-antibody complex, and detecting formation of the complex.

Abstract: An immunoassay for detecting disease associated Ig, such as IgM associated with acute forms of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Wells of microtiter plates are first coated with an antibody against the Ig to be detected and the test sample, e.g. serum, is then added and incubated. After removal of non-adsorbed materials from the wells, an insoluble visible form of the cognate antigen to the Ig, such as antigen fixed to latex particles, is added. If no such Ig is present in the sample, the antigen will appear as a smooth button on the bottom of the well; whereas if such Ig is present in significant quantity, the antigen will be captured by adsorbed antiIg-Ig complexes and distributed on the wall of the well according to the distribution of the antiIg-Ig complex thereon.

Abstract: An improved sandwich immunoassay for Toxoplasma gondii antigens associated with acute forms of Toxoplasma infection is disclosed. The assay employs either an F(ab').sub.2 fragment of IgG which reacts specifically with such antigens or a monoclonal antibody for such antigens as the substrate layer in the sandwich. The assay is sensitive and, unlike prior sandwich assays for the antigen, is not affected significantly by cross-reactions with rheumatoid factor.