[IMPROVEMENT OF ETIOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE CEREBRAL TOXOPLASMOSIS IN HIV-INFECTED PERSONS]

Area of Science:

• Clinical immunology
• Neuroinfectious diseases
• HIV/AIDS diagnostics

Background:

• Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a significant opportunistic infection in HIV-infected individuals.
• Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes.
• Distinguishing toxoplasmosis from other focal brain lesions in immunocompromised patients can be challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of parallel IgG avidity index testing for Toxoplasma gondii.
• To assess the value of testing in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in HIV-infected patients with focal brain damage.
• To determine if this method can improve the etiological diagnosis of neuroinfection.

Main Methods:

• A three-step solid-phase enzyme immunoassay was employed.
• Utilized T. gondii antigen, a protein dissociating agent, and monoclonal antibodies against human IgG.
• Performed parallel detection of IgG avidity index in serum and CSF samples.

Main Results:

• The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using direct and dissociated methods successfully detected specific intrathecal and serum immunoglobulins.
• The IgG avidity index test demonstrated high informative value for detecting recent or active T. gondii infections.
• These findings suggest improved diagnostic capabilities for cerebral toxoplasmosis in the target population.

Conclusions:

• Parallel detection of IgG avidity index for T. gondii is a valuable tool for diagnosing cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected individuals.
• The described immunoassay method enhances the etiological diagnosis of neuroinfections in this patient group.
• This testing strategy can be integrated into diagnostic algorithms for improved patient management.