[Immunoenzyme analysis in the diagnosis of ophthalmic toxoplasmosis]

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is a highly sensitive and specific method whose sensitivity is superior to that of the fluorescent antibody test. EIA helped detect IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma in almost 30% of examined adults and children with various ocular diseases, this indicating a high Toxoplasma infection rate in the population. IgM antibodies (indicating an acute infection) were detected in only three children, and Toxoplasma was not the agent of uveitis in these patients. It may be supposed that primary Toxoplasma infection takes place in utero, or the eye is involved long after the primary infection. Bearing this in mind, the authors recommend screening for IgM antibodies in infants aged under 6 months if congenital or acquired Toxoplasma uveitis is suspected.