Vol. 35 No. 1 (2018): February
Original Article

Congenital toxoplasmosis: Serology, PCR, parasite isolation and molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii

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  • Liliana Carral,
  • Federico Kaufer,
  • Lais Pardini,
  • Ricardo Durlach,
  • Gastón Moré,
  • María C. Venturini,
  • Cristina Freuler
Liliana Carral
Hospital Alemán de Buenos Aires
Federico Kaufer
Hospital Alemán de Buenos Aires
Lais Pardini
;Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Ricardo Durlach
Hospital Alemán de Buenos Aires
Gastón Moré
Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
María C. Venturini
Universidad Nacional de La Plata
Cristina Freuler
Hospital Alemán de Buenos Aires

Published 2018-02-28

Keywords

How to Cite

1.
Carral L, Kaufer F, Pardini L, Durlach R, Moré G, Venturini MC, Freuler C. Congenital toxoplasmosis: Serology, PCR, parasite isolation and molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii. Rev. Chilena. Infectol. [Internet]. 2018 Feb. 28 [cited 2025 Nov. 15];35(1). Available from: https://revinf.cl/index.php/revinf/article/view/20

Copyright (c) 2018 Liliana Carral, Federico Kaufer, Lais Pardini, Ricardo Durlach, Gastón Moré, María C. Venturini, Cristina Freuler

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Background. Congenital toxoplasmosis diagnosis in the newborn is a very important issue due to the need for early treatment to prevent future sequels. Aim: To compare available methods at the institution for the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis. Material and Methods: In this study we have evaluated the different diagnostic tests used in 67 congenital exposed newborns, including serological tests, PCR, parasite isolation and molecular characterization. Results: The ISAGA IgM and IgA tests showed sensitivity (Se) of 87 and 91%, respectively, and specificity (Sp) of 100%. When ISAGA IgM and IgA were performed simultaneously, the Se increased to 98% and the Sp was 100%. The presence of IgE contributed to the diagnosis when it was detected in the child’s serum but not in maternal blood. In four congenital infected children the parasite was isolated and genotyped: one was genotype II and the other three were “atypical” genotypes. No parasite was isolated in children without congenital toxoplasmosis. Discussion: Overall, serological tests showed a good diagnostic performance although in one case they were all negative and isolation was the only tool to identify the infection. We conclude that it is essential to use all diagnostic tests in every single exposed child, including if possible, molecular characterization due to its epidemiological implication.
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