Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2008 Feb;27(2):125-9.
doi: 10.1097/INF.0b013e3181586052.

Early and accurate diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis

Affiliations

Early and accurate diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis

Laura Ciardelli et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2008 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: Early diagnosis of congenital toxoplasma infection is difficult to establish using serological methods. We explored specific T cell immunity to Toxoplasma gondii antigens to identify more accurate diagnostic tests for an early diagnosis of toxoplasma infection in newborns at risk for congenital toxoplasmosis.

Study design: T lymphocyte proliferation, interferon (IFN)-gamma production and lymphocyte activation antigens expression were evaluated in 23 infected and 65 uninfected neonates at different times, in the first year of life.

Results: The immunologic tests accurately discriminated when tested <or=90 and >90 days of age, respectively and were significantly lower in uninfected than in infected infants: activation antigen CD25, P < 0.001 and P < 0.00001; activation antigen histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, P < 0.01 and P < 0.00001; T cell proliferation, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.00001; IFN-gamma production, P < 0.001 and P < 0.00001. Evaluation of the specific T cell response allowed identification at 3 months of age or younger, 2 of 23 infected neonates, who had negative serologic tests. Moreover specific T lymphocyte activity increased with age even in neonates undergoing therapy, suggesting that medical treatment does not affect lymphocyte response.

Conclusions: Evaluation of T cell immunity is important for an early and accurate diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Substances