Production of antibodies in murine mucosal immunization with Toxoplasma gondii excreted/secreted antigens

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii RH strain excreted/secreted antigens (ESA) were administrated weekly by the oral route, to two groups of 40 OF1 mice for 4 weeks. One group received ESA associated with cholera toxin (CT+) and the other, ESA only (CT−). Five animals from each group were sacrified from day 4 (D4) to D49 following the first immunization and their feces and sera were collected and tested by ELISA for IgA, IgG and IgM antibody detection. In feces, IgA antibodies were detected on D4 and on D12 in the CT+ and CT− groups, respectively, and they persisted up to D49. IgG antibodies were detected from D12 to D41 in the CT+ group and on D12 only in the CT− group. No IgM antibodies were detected. In sera, IgA antibodies were detected on D27, D41 and D49 only in the CT+ group. IgG and IgM antibodies were found on D12 and D4, respectively, in the CT+ group and starting from D27 in the CT− group. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that ESA, with or without CT, are immunogenic when administrated by the oral route.