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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
A Genetic Screen to Isolate Toxoplasma gondii Host-cell Egress Mutants
Published on: February 8, 2012
[Use of the PCR technique for diagnosis of symptomatic congenital toxoplasmosis based on own observations]
B Lipka1, B Milewska-Bobula, M Kapusta
1Klinika Niemowleca lnstytutu "Pomnik - Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka", 04-736 Warszawa Al. Dzieci Polskich 20.
Insights
PCR is a valuable tool for diagnosing congenital toxoplasmosis in infants. Combining PCR with other lab tests improves diagnostic accuracy, accounting for potential false results.
Area of Science:
- Medical Diagnostics
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Congenital toxoplasmosis poses significant health risks to newborns.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective management.
- Existing diagnostic methods have limitations.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the utility of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique for postnatal diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis.
- To assess the performance of PCR in conjunction with clinical, serological, and neuroimaging methods.
- To determine the diagnostic yield of PCR in a cohort of infants.
Summary:
- The study involved 17 infants aged 1 week to 10 months with suspected congenital toxoplasmosis.
- PCR testing on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was positive in 14 cases.
- High levels of toxoplasmosis IgG antibodies were detected in most infants; IgM and IgA were found in one-third.
Impact:
- PCR demonstrates significant value in diagnosing congenital toxoplasmosis.
- Combining PCR with other laboratory methods is recommended to enhance diagnostic reliability and mitigate false results.
- This study contributes to optimizing diagnostic strategies for congenital toxoplasmosis.
Unlabelled:
The aim of our study was to determine the usefulness of PCR technique in postnatal diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis in 17 infants aged from 1 week to 10 months. In 13 cases the diagnosis was established. The diagnostic procedures involved: clinical examinations, serological tests, nested-PCR method and neuroimaging examinations.
Results:
In almost all children (except one) a high level of toxoplasmatic IgG antibodies was found; in 1/3 we identified antibodies IgM and IgA. In 14 cases the PCR test from CSF was positive. In 4 infants the suspicion of congenital toxoplasmosis was ruled out; in 2 of them PCR from CSF was negative, in 2 - a false positive result was stated.
Conclusions:
PCR is a valuable technique for diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis. Because of the possibility of false positive and negative results - it should be combined with other laboratory methods.
