Use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis

Publication date: June 2018Source: Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Volume 22, Issue 3Author(s): Cam Loveridge-Easther, Anne-Marie Yardley, Brenda BreidensteinCongenital toxoplasmosis (CT) is a parasitic disease that causes serious fetal and neonatal harm or death. In countries that do not have antenatal screening programs, the initiation of CT treatment relies on a postnatal diagnosis. Until recently, diagnosis was based on clinical signs and immunoglobulin seropositivity, which is fraught with difficulty. In these cases, diagnosis was often delayed or treatment, which carries risk, started empirically. We highlight the use of polymerase chain reaction to diagnose a case of congenital toxoplasmosis, allowing early treatment and justifying the treatment burden.
Source: Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus - Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research