A novel in house multiplex nested PCR method was employed as diagnostic tool for detecting and differentiating tachyzoite and bradyzoite-specific gene targets simultaneously, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from patients with Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE). CSFs were collected from 19 immunocompromised patients (AIDS, cancers, transplants) with TE hospitalized in different centers separated in 1st TE episodes or relapse. Oligonucleotides targeting bradyzoite SAG-4 and MAg-1 genes were more sensitive in detecting T. gondii specific DNA in relapsed patients compared to samples from TE 1st episodes patients. The simultaneous gene amplification by multiplex PCR could be an efficient, sensitive, and specific method for laboratory diagnosis of T. gondii reactivation.
A multiplex PCR assay for molecular recognition of T-gondii stage-specific genes
CONTINI, Carlo;GRILLI, Anastasio;CULTRERA, Rosario
2001
Abstract
A novel in house multiplex nested PCR method was employed as diagnostic tool for detecting and differentiating tachyzoite and bradyzoite-specific gene targets simultaneously, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from patients with Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE). CSFs were collected from 19 immunocompromised patients (AIDS, cancers, transplants) with TE hospitalized in different centers separated in 1st TE episodes or relapse. Oligonucleotides targeting bradyzoite SAG-4 and MAg-1 genes were more sensitive in detecting T. gondii specific DNA in relapsed patients compared to samples from TE 1st episodes patients. The simultaneous gene amplification by multiplex PCR could be an efficient, sensitive, and specific method for laboratory diagnosis of T. gondii reactivation.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
