Molecular diagnosis of toxoplasmosis: value of the buffy coat for the detection of circulating Toxoplasma gondii

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2015 Aug;82(4):289-91. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2015.04.004. Epub 2015 Apr 24.

Abstract

Early detection of Toxoplasma tachyzoites circulating in blood using PCR is recommended for immunosuppressed patients at high risk for disseminated toxoplasmosis. Using a toxoplasmosis mouse model, we show that the sensitivity of detection is higher using buffy coat isolated from a large blood volume than using whole blood for this molecular monitoring.

Keywords: Buffy coat; Diagnosis; PCR; Toxoplasma gondii; Toxoplasmosis; Whole blood.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Buffy Coat / parasitology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Parasitology / methods*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Toxoplasma / genetics
  • Toxoplasma / isolation & purification*
  • Toxoplasmosis / diagnosis*
  • Toxoplasmosis / parasitology