An unexpected response to vaccination with a purified major membrane tachyzoite antigen (P30) of Toxoplasma gondii.

A purified Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite membrane protein (P30) and a monoclonal antibody directed against this antigen were used to immunize mice. The P30 protein has an apparent m.w. of 30,000 and is the major radioiodinated tachyzoite membrane antigen identified by human and mouse antitoxoplasma antisera. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibody to the P30 antigen are parasiticidal in the presence of human serum. A series of mice were immunized with affinity column-purified P30 protein. This produced a dose-dependent, antigen-specific IgG and IgM response. The mice were challenged with the less virulent C strain tachyzoite. Immunized mice showed a statistically significant increase in mortality over nonimmunized control mice. In addition, vaccinated mice had an increased number of intracerebral tissue cysts when compared with the control group. Similar results were obtained with passive transfer immunization by using monoclonal antibody directed against the P30 antigen. Immunofluorescence assay of brain tissue cyst bradyzoites revealed a total absence of P30 antigen. Bradyzoites were also deficient in another major tachyzoite antigen of approximate m.w. 22,000 (P22). Mouse antibradyzoite serum absorbed with tachyzoites recognized bradyzoites but failed to identify tachyzoites. This suggests that there are stage-specific bradyzoite antigens of Toxoplasma gondii.