In the present invention, inventors report the characterization of BCLA (Brain Cyst Load-associated Antigen), a protein exclusively expressed during the bradyzoite stage of the parasite. In cysts directly purified from the brain of mice, the protein is distributed within and at the surface of the cyst. ELISA antibody capture using a combination of serologically reactive BCLA peptides and a recombinantly expressed c-terminal domain (rBCLA) constitutes an efficient serological marker of latent infection with a high sensitivity that is clearly and exclusively correlated with the presence of cysts in the brain of mice Antibodies directed against BCLA antigen have been detected in human patients with enriched titers in patients qualified as seropositive to Sag1 or tachyzoite related antigens. Further correlation in humans between anti-BCLA IgG synthesis and cysts is brought by significantly stronger recorded titers in pathological panels strongly related to the presence of cyst. Furthermore, newborn infants with a confirmed congenital toxoplasmosis display significantly higher anti-BCLA IgGs at birth when compared to their mother, suggesting a specific in-utero neosynthesis of such IgGs. Thus the invention relates to a new Toxoplasma gondii protein, hereafter referred as BCLA, a new serological marker whose expression is restricted to the latent form of Toxoplasmosis (bradyzoite/cyst). This specific protein and its antigenic fragments can be used to detect autoantibodies in the sera of patient for the diagnosis of the latent form of Toxoplasmosis. The invention also relates to derived antibodies, generated by BCLA immunisation that specifically binds this new protein.

The present invention describes methods of identifying high-risk populations or individuals who have positive serology for T. gondii. These methods include obtaining a biological sample from a subject; determining the level of T. gondii cyst antigen antibody in the biological sample; and characterizing the biological sample in at least one of three categories.

The present invention relates to the synthesis of GPI-related surface antigens of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and the resulting products obtained. These synthetic compounds are suitable for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, as well as vaccine against toxoplasmosis, a diseases caused by infection with T. gondii.

The present invention relates to methods of screening biological samples for the presence of T. gondii. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sensitive and specific screening test for the presence of Toxoplasmosis in subjects by using or detecting the in vivo-induced T. gondii RAP domain binding protein antigen. The invention further relates to the use of the in vivo-induced antigen in the prevention or therapy of Toxoplasmosis.

The present invention describes methods of identifying high-risk populations or individuals who have positive serology for T. gondii. These methods include obtaining a biological sample from a subject; determining the level of T. gondii cyst antigen antibody in the biological sample; and characterizing the biological sample in at least one of three categories.

Point-of-care (POC) testing for T. gondii infection can potentially address cost concerns and lead to better clinical outcomes through improved access to screening. This disclosure provides methods and compositions for whole blood POC testing to identify T. gondii infection with high sensitivity and specificity, obviating the need for venipuncture and sample processing infrastructure, making it an efficient, low-cost POC test.

The present invention provides a composition for multiplex diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii and/or influenza virus, comprising virus-like particles (VLPs) that comprise a T. gondii surface antigen protein, and VLPs that comprise an influenza virus M1 protein. In one embodiment, the VLPs comprise at least one protein from the group consisting of TgAMA1 VLP, TROP4 VLP and TgROP18. The composition for multiplex diagnosis can react, with high sensitivity and specificity, to biological samples isolated from individuals infected with T. gondii and individuals infected with Influenza virus. Therefore, the composition for multiplex diagnosis can be used in a kit for multiplex diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and/or Influenza virus.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to ferrofluid-based assay methods, systems and device for detecting one or more parasite oocyst or egg, and more specifically, to detecting parasite oocysts or eggs in fecal matter of livestock, so as to determine parasitic infections within such livestock. Such embodiments are configured to help in the ability to maintain healthy livestock for human consumption.

The present disclosure provides antibodies that bind the surface of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts, methods for using such antibodies and kits and devices for practicing such methods. Such antibodies, methods, kits and devices find use in detection of T. gondii oocysts and the isolation of such oocysts from samples including environmental samples, food-based samples, diagnostic samples, and the like.

The present invention describes methods of identifying high-risk populations or individuals who have positive serology for T.gondii. These methods include obtaining a biological sample from a subject; determining the level of T.gondii cyst antigen antibody in the biological sample; and characterizing the biological sample in at least one of three categories.