Behzad Haghpanah; Mansoor Salehi; Shahram Sadri
Volume 3, Issue 1 , March 2006, , Pages 47-53
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease with high seroprevalence worldwide. Several immunological methods have been described for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Objective: To determine the parasitemia period in patients infected with toxoplasma using PCR and comparing serological data with molecular ...
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Background: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease with high seroprevalence worldwide. Several immunological methods have been described for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Objective: To determine the parasitemia period in patients infected with toxoplasma using PCR and comparing serological data with molecular results. Methods: 154 serum samples from patients with toxoplasmosis were examined. Presence of parasite DNA was evaluated using PCR method. IgG and IgM antibody titers were measured using IFA test. Results: Of 154 studied samples, 28 were positive for IgM and 60 were positive for IgG with titers higher than 1/400. PCR was performed on those samples having either IgG or IgM titers. Samples with IgM titers lower than 1/800 and higher than 1/3200 had no detectable level of parasite DNA. Parasitemia was detected in cases with IgG titer of 1/100 to 1/200. All samples with no detectable IgM and with IgG titers higher than 1/400 were negative when tested by PCR. Conclusion: IgM specific antibody titer between 1/800 and1/3200 represents a window opportunity in treatment of patients with toxoplasmosis. Absence of parasite DNA in patients with higher IgM antibody titer is explained by the effector mechanism of antibody for clearance of the parasite.
Gholamreza Hatam; Azra Shamseddin; Farhoud Nikouee
Volume 2, Issue 3 , September 2005, , Pages 177-181
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. Infections of human are common and are usually asymptomatic. The infection may be serious if is transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy. Prophylactic measures, early detection of the infection and treatment can ...
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Background: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. Infections of human are common and are usually asymptomatic. The infection may be serious if is transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy. Prophylactic measures, early detection of the infection and treatment can avoid congenital toxoplasmosis and many long term effects. Objective: Seroepidemiological study in young girls is useful to determine the prevalence of infection and to design prevention policies for them after marriage and during their pregnancy. This study was carried out in the years 2000-2001 in the region of Fasa of Fars province in the South of Iran, as a descriptive, analytic and cross sectional study. Methods: Serum Samples of 947 students were collected from high school girls of Fasa and studied by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). The positive and negative controls were also used. Results: The seroprevalance rate of toxoplasmosis ranged from 1 to 21 Percent in different parts of Fasa and 10% in all groups. Some variables including age, nutritional habits and contact with domestic cats were studied. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in girls of various high schools of Fasa is different and it may be related to the level of hygiene in different parts of Fasa. Water and food contamination with cat stool in regions with high contact with domestic cats can play an important role in infection rates. People of such areas should eat well-cooked meat to reduce infection.