Composition and method for distinguishing virulent and non- virulent toxoplasma infections

摘要

Diagnostic assays based on the discovery of dimorphism in the p30 antigen and gene and the direct association of this dimorphism with the known bimodal virulence pattern. Assays can be based on different antigenic behavior of virulent (referred to here as type I) and avirulent (type II) p30 antigens or on the differences in the corresponding genes. There is a one-to-one relationship between the type I and type II antigen/genes and virulence. Specific genetic materials, specific antibodies, and analytical techniques that allow a diagnosis to be made between virulent and avirulent infections are disclosed.