Detection of toxoplasma gondii in dead fetuses by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]

ABSTRACT

Mouse inoculation and tissue culture employed in the earlier studies of toxoplasmosis, although specific and sensitive, are rather time-consuming and may require up to six weeks to reach a diagnosis. To use polymerase chain reaction [PCR] as a reliable alternative method in the detection of Toxoplasma gondii organisms in tissue samples. This method relies on the detection of B1 gene which is unique for T. gondii. After preparing the samples, DNA was separated using centrifugation, then, by application of primers and DNA polymerase, amplification was performed. PCR detected the presence of T. gondii in about 20% of formalin-fixed tissue samples from dead fetuses aborted within four months of gestation. PCR can be considered the method of choice, particularly when the parasites are already destroyed by preservatives or their viability is adversely affected by suboptimal storage and transportation conditions