Evaluation of PCR methods for 5S-rDNA and p30 genes to detect Toxoplasma gondii in blood and other clinical samples

• Published in: The New microbiologica Vol. 24; no. 2; p. 171
• Main Authors: Cresti, S, Ciacci, C, Donati, E, Giordano, I, Tordini, G, Barberi, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy 01.04.2001
• Subjects: Amniotic Fluid - parasitology; Animals; Antigens, Protozoan; Blood - parasitology; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - parasitology; DNA, Protozoan - analysis; DNA, Protozoan - genetics; DNA, Ribosomal - genetics; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Mice; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Protozoan Proteins - genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 5S - genetics; Sensitivity and Specificity; Toxoplasma - genetics; Toxoplasma - isolation & purification; Urine - parasitology
• ISSN: 1121-7138

During the last few years the direct diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection has taken advantage of PCR. The present work tested the sensitivity and specificity of PCR for rDNA and p30 genes. Using ascitic fluid from infected mice rDNA PCR detected 0.5 tachyzoite/ml, while nested p30 PCR 1 tachyzoite/ml. The rDNA amplification was positive in all clinical samples from a single immuno compromised patient (blood, urine and bronchoalveolar fluid). In the same patient nested p30 PCR was positive only in urine and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The rDNA and p30 amplicons were never found in any amniotic fluids tested. These results could prove the usefulness of rDNA amplification to detect T. gondii in blood.