Evaluation of Recombinant SAG1 Protein for Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Specific Immunoglobulin M by ELISA Test

Background: toxoplasmosis is a serious disease in immunocompromised patients and pregnant women. differentiation of acute and chronic infection is a major challenge in serodiagnosis of the disease. since the aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic utility of recombinant sag1 (rec-sag1) for the detection of toxoplasma-specific igm antibodies in human sera, by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa). methods: the purified recombinant protein sag1 was applied in house elisa test and the ability of it in binding to specific immunoglobulin m in 30 serum samples of acute infected patients was evaluated. the results obtained by assays with the recombinant sag1 and standard commercial assays were compared. result: the sensitivity and specificity of in house elisa compared to a standard commercial elisa (com-elisa) were 80% and 90%, respectively. conclusion: it was concluded that the rec-sag1 could be an alternative marker for detection of anti toxoplasma-specific igm and diagnosis of acute infection.