Large Scale Pre-Diagnosis of Toxoplasma Gondii DNA Genotyping by Real-Time PCR on Amniotic Fluid

ABSTRACT

The antepartum and peripartum maternal infections cause great problems complicating pregnancy. The early diagnosis of the maternal infections causing different pathologies in the newborns is of great importance. For an appropiate judgement, the early diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infections acquired during pregnancy is critical for an effective prevention. The common characteristics of these infections are that they may cause abortion, still birth, prematurity, intrauterin growth retardation, congenital malformations, infection of the newborn or normal term live-births. We report here the development of real-time PCR-based assay for detection of T. gondii. Investigation of 300 specimens was carried out using B1 gene region specific primers and probes after the extraction of T. gondii DNA. T.gondii DNA, was found in 4 (1.3%) out of 300 specimens. DNA was not found in the speciemens of the remaining 296 patients. Real-time PCR analysis significantly improves the detection of T. gondii in amniotic fluid.

Keywords:

• real-time PCR
• Toxoplasma gondii
• amniotic fluid
• prenatal diagnosis