Direct agglutination test and other assays for measuring antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii

The performance of a direct agglutination test for the detection of toxoplasma specific IgG immunoglobulin was compared with that of the latex agglutination test. The direct agglutination test was less sensitive but more specific than the latex agglutination test. Quantitative results were not directly comparable, reflecting the different antibody profiles detected in each assay. The direct agglutination test represents an alternative to the latex agglutination test as a screening test for toxoplasmosis. Patients at risk of life threatening infection require detailed serological examination using additional assays.