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Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Antisense Protein (ASP) RNA Transcripts in Patients by Strand-Specific RT-PCR
Published on: November 27, 2019
[Detection by nested-PCR of Toxoplasma gondii in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus]
Ricardo Alonso1, Enrique Martínez, Pedro Laynez
1Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de la Laguna, La Laguna, Spain.
Background:
Our purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of the nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) for the laboratory diagnosis of active toxoplasmosis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Patients And Method:
The study was carried out in 157 HIV-infected patients. We determined IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii as well as parasite DNA by nested-PCR in blood samples.
Results:
IgG antibodies were detected in 56 patients, IgM in 1 and IgA in 5 patients. Eleven patients were found to have DNA of the parasite.
Conclusions:
The polymerase chain reaction is a rapid, sensitive and effective technique in the early diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients. Its positivity may also point to the beginning of treatment in asymptomatic individuals.
