Two Cases of Congenital Toxoplasmosis Diagnosed by Polymerase Chain Reaction / 감염과화학요법

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis may be difficult due to diversity of symptoms. However, the diagonosis is very important for treatment and determination of the prognosis of infected infants. We recently experienced two cases of congenital toxoplasmosis. The first case was suspected as congenital infection with hydrocephalus that was detected by prenatal ultrasonography. Postnatal evaluation revealed positive latex agglutination and ELISA IgG antibodies, and negative ELISA IgM antibodies for Toxoplasma gondii. Histologic examination of the biopsied brain tissue revealed microcalcification. The second case presented with jaundice and intraventricular hemorrhage, and serological evaluation revealed positive latex agglutination and ELISA IgG antibodies, and negative ELISA IgM antibodies for T. gondii. The mother was positive for ELISA IgM antibodies as well as for latex agglutination and ELISA IgG antibodies. In the blood and CSF of both infants as well as in the blood of their mothers, Toxoplasma specific B1 gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. Based on these results, we have confirmed two cases of congenital toxoplasmosis whose presenting symptoms were hydrocephalus, seizure, or jaundice, and these cases represent the first series of congenital toxoplasmosis diagnosed in Korea by polymerase chain reaction.