Document 0556
 DOCN  M9490556
 TI    [Contribution of gene amplification in the biological diagnosis of
       toxoplasmosis]
 DT    9411
 AU    Cazenave J; Broussin B; Verin P; Tirard V; Cheyrou A; Begueret J;
       Laboratoire de Biologie moleculaire, LABM, Bordeaux.
 SO    Presse Med. 1994 Mar 26;23(12):573-5. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94344928
 AB    Biological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is generally based on indirect
       arguments (serology). In cases of immaturity or of immune depression,
       however, evidence of the parasite has to be obtained. This involves
       time-consuming or relatively insensitive culture techniques. Molecular
       biology, and more particularly the polymerase chain reaction gene
       amplification technique, makes it possible to identify an extremely
       small quantity of parasites in a complex biological fluid in a few
       hours. We summarized our experience with an original technique using
       toxoplasma ribosomal DNA as the target. Its use in the amniotic fluid
       provides a distinct improvement in antenatal diagnosis and is fast
       becoming the technique of reference. Difficult cases have been solved by
       its application in ophthalmology. Finally, in immunodepressed patients,
       especially in cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, assessment is
       currently ongoing. The results obtained so far, especially in the
       analysis of the cerebral spinal fluid, are encouraging.
 DE    Adult  English Abstract  Human  Immune Tolerance  Infant, Newborn
       Polymerase Chain Reaction/*METHODS  Prenatal Diagnosis
       Toxoplasmosis/*DIAGNOSIS/GENETICS  Toxoplasmosis,
       Cerebral/*DIAGNOSIS/GENETICS  Toxoplasmosis,
       Congenital/*DIAGNOSIS/GENETICS  Toxoplasmosis,
       Ocular/*DIAGNOSIS/GENETICS  JOURNAL ARTICLE

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