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Published on: April 29, 2020
Real-time PCR as a prognostic tool for human congenital toxoplasmosis
Júlia Gatti Ladeia Costa1, Ana Carolina Aguiar Vasconcelos Carneiro, Alice Thomáz Tavares
1Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Insights
Real-time PCR (qPCR) detected congenital toxoplasmosis in 48% of newborn blood samples. Positivity was significantly higher in infants with active retinochoroiditis, indicating its association with ocular involvement.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Congenital toxoplasmosis poses a significant risk to newborns.
- Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management and preventing long-term complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of real-time PCR (qPCR) for diagnosing congenital toxoplasmosis in newborns.
- To determine the association between qPCR positivity and ocular involvement, specifically retinochoroiditis.
Main Methods:
- Real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed on 150 newborn blood samples.
- Samples were analyzed for the presence of *Toxoplasma gondii* DNA.
- Statistical analysis was used to compare qPCR positivity rates between infants with and without ocular involvement.
Main Results:
- qPCR was positive in 72 out of 150 (48%) newborn blood samples.
- Infants with active retinochoroiditis showed a 68% qPCR positivity rate.
- qPCR positivity was 29% in infants without ocular involvement (P=0.009).
- Positive qPCR results were associated with retinochoroidal lesions (Odds Ratio = 2.8).
Conclusions:
- Real-time PCR is a valuable tool for detecting congenital toxoplasmosis in newborns.
- qPCR positivity is significantly correlated with the presence of ocular manifestations like retinochoroiditis.
Abstract:
Real-time PCR (qPCR) was positive in 72/150 (48%) blood samples of newborns with congenital toxoplasmosis. Among infants with active retinochoroiditis, 68% had positive qPCR results, while positivity was 29% (P=0.009) in the absence of ocular involvement. Positive qPCR was associated with the presence of retinochoroidal lesions, with an odds ratio of 2.8.
