Prenatal toxoplasmosis diagnosis from amniotic fluid by PCR

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical

Paula Vieira Teixeira Vidigal²  Daniel Vítor Vasconcelos Santos²  Flávia Cipriano Castro¹  Júlio César De Faria Couto¹  Ricardo Wagner De Almeida Vitor¹  Geraldo Brasileiro Filho² 

[1] ,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Faculdade de Medicina Departamento de Anatomia Patológica e Medicina Legal

关键词: Congenital toxoplasmosis;    PCR;    Amniotic fluid;    Toxoplasmose congênita;    PCR;    Líquido amniótico;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0037-86822002000100001

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common infections all over the world. Most cases are asymptomatic, except in immunosuppressed individuals and fetuses, which can be seriously damaged. Prenatal diagnosis should be made as soon as possible since treatment of the mother can minimize fetal sequelae. Our aim in this study was to test the polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR) in 86 samples of amniotic fluid from women who seroconverted during pregnancy. DNA was amplified using external primers and, in a second step, internal primers, in a nested PCR system. Samples were also inoculated into mice and the newborn were evaluated by T. gondii serology, skull x-ray, transfontanel ultrasound, fundoscopic examination, lumbar puncture and clinical examination. PCR was positive in seven cases and negative in 79. Among PCR-positive cases, two were negative by inoculation into mice and by clinical evaluation; among PCR-negative ones, three had clinical evidence of toxoplasmosis and one was positive after inoculation into mice. PCR showed values of sensitivity = 62.5% and specificity = 97.4%; the values of inoculation into mice where 42.9% and 100%, respectively. Although PCR should not be used alone for prenatal diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis, it is a promising method and deserves more studies to improve its efficacy.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
 All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License