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In vitro lymphocyte stimulation with specific antigen in congenital toxoplasmosis
Insights
A positive lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) in infants may indicate congenital toxoplasmosis. This cell-mediated immunity test shows delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) developing similarly to adults, but a negative LST is not conclusive.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Congenital toxoplasmosis poses significant health risks to newborns.
- Assessing cell-mediated immunity is crucial for diagnosing congenital infections.
- The lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) is a potential diagnostic tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of cell-mediated immunity in children with congenital toxoplasmosis.
- To evaluate the efficacy of the in vitro lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) as a diagnostic method for congenital toxoplasmosis.
Main Methods:
- Conducted the lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) on 35 children, including 5 with suspected/confirmed congenital toxoplasmosis.
- Included 19 dye test-positive and 7 dye test-negative women for comparison.
- Monitored the development of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) over time.
Main Results:
- Cell-mediated immunity, specifically delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), developed similarly in children with congenital toxoplasmosis as in adults.
- Lymphocyte responses to toxoplasma antigen were initially low in the first year post-infection, increasing significantly in the second and third years.
- Chemotherapy initiated in the first year of life did not impede the subsequent development of DTH.
Conclusions:
- A positive lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) during the first year of life can be a strong indicator of congenital toxoplasmosis.
- A negative LST result is not definitive and cannot rule out congenital toxoplasmosis.
Abstract:
The development of specific cell mediated immunity was studied in children with congenital toxoplasmosis and the in vitro lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) evaluated as diagnostic test for congenital infection. The test was performed in 35 children, including 5 with a confirmed or suspected congenital toxoplasmosis and for comparison, in 19 dye test positive and 7 negative women. The development of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) seemed to follow approximately the same time course in children with congenital toxoplasmosis as in adults with toxoplasmosis. The lymphocyte responses to toxoplasma antigen were low during the first year, but increased markedly during the second and third years after infection. Chemotherapy during the first year of life did not prevent the later development of DTH. It is concluded that a positive LST during the first year of life may be an indication of congenital toxoplasmosis. A negative test is not decisive.