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Abstract

The present invention relates to a glycoconjugate immunoreactive with Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, (monoclonal) antibodies against these glycoconjugates, and cell lines capable of producing monoclonal antibodies. The invention is further concerned with immunochemical reagents and methods for the detection of T. gondii or antibodies directed agains T. gondii. Furthermore the invention relates to a therapeutic reagent for the inhibition of replication of T. gondii parasites and a method for the production of a live attenuated T. gondii vaccine. It has now been found, and in contrast with earlier publications in this art, that several glycoconjugates are immunoreactive with Toxoplasma gondii specific antibodies comprising a glycan core structure having general formula (I) wherein R1=Hydrogen, --PO 3 --CH 2 --CH 2 --NH 2 (ethanolamine-phosphate), or --PO 3 --CH 2 --CH 2 --NH--X, wherein X=a T. gondii specific antigen; wherein R2=.+-.--O--R4, .+-.(1-4)-O-anhydromannitol or .+-.(1-4)-O-glucoseamine optionally .+-.(1-6)-linked to the inositol moiety of a phosphatidylinositol membrane anchor; wherein R3=a monosaccharide moiety, wherein R4=Hydrogen or --L--R5, wherein L=a bivalent organic radical and R5=a functional group that allows coupling to a carrier. A preferred embodiment of the monosaccharide moiety is a hexose moiety, more preferred is a glucose moiety, and most preferred is a glucose moiety which is bonded to the GalNAc-moiety by an .+-.1,4 glycosidic bond. It has been found that the glycoconjugates according to the present invention are particularly suitable for diagnosing T. gondii infected humans.

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First Claim