Toxoplasmosis: Detection of Serum Immunoglobulin by ELISA and Placenta DNA by PCR; A Comparative Study

Abstract

The prenatal diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis is important to prevent unnecessary termination of pregnancy. Thus, there is a need for application of laboratory test that is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis .The objective of the present study was to check the validity of determination of serum specific IgG and IgM anti-toxoplasma antibodies in comparison to PCR method for detecting toxoplasmosis DNA in placenta samples twenty one women suffered from abortion were included in this study. Their ages ranged from 20 -35 years . Cases of abortion due to other causes were excluded . Sera and placentae were collected from all participants. Specific IgM and IgG anti- toxoplasma antibodies were determined using capture ELISA technique according to the manufacturer's instructions. Nested primer sets were used for amplifying fragments of the B1 gen. Specific IgG anti –toxoplasmosis antibodies were detected by ELISA in 17 (77.2%) women out of 21 while specific IgM anti-toxoplasmosis antibodies were detected in 8 (36.3) women out 0f the 21 examined sample . However , PCR detected toxoplasmosis DNA in 20 (95.4%) out of 21 placental samples. Nested PCR amplification of the B1 gene of T. gondii is a rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic procedure and considered a valuable tool for the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in adults females . Detection of specific IgG and IgM anti-toxoplasma antibodies in serum of women with abortion was with higher specificity .However , their sensitivities were 85% and 40% for serum IgG and IgM respectively