Destruction and Control of <i>Toxoplasma</i><i>gondii</i> Tachyzoites Using Gold Nanosphere/Antibody Conjugates

Abstract

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii can be selectively targeted and photothermally destroyed by gold nanosphere/antibody conjugates (see image). The optical response of the nanospheres within the “tissue window” is shifted and enhanced by aggregation. Attachment of the conjugates alone, even without plasmonic heating, lowers the infectivity of the organism.