Detection of Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoite genes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells among patients with toxoplasmic chorioretinitis. (13th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khanaliha, Khadijeh; Hedayatfar, Alireza; Minaeian, Sara; Bokharaei-Salim, Farah; Alemzadeh, Sayyed Amirpooya; Garshasbi, Saba; Fagheei Aghmiyuni, Zeinab; Salemi, Borna
• Is Part Of: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Volume 115:Number 12(2021)
• Page Start: 1389
• Page End: 1395
• Publication Date: 2021-04-13
• Subjects: chorioretinitis -- opportunistic infections -- parasite -- PCR -- Toxoplasma gondii; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; 616.9883
• DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab062
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-9203

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Toxoplasmic chorioretinitis may occur as a result of acquired toxoplasmosis or reactivated congenital toxoplasmosis. In this study, Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoite genes along with the B1 gene were evaluated to detect T. gondii DNA in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with toxoplasmic chorioretinitis. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 10 patients (7 cases of active chorioretinal lesions and 3 cases of old chorioretinal scars). The genomic DNA was extracted from the patients' serum and PBMCs and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was performed using bradyzoite genes along with B1 . The subjects were also evaluated in terms of the T. gondii antibodies. Results: The PCR results were positive in four of seven patients (57.1%) with active ocular toxoplasmosis lesions. In three patients (42.8%), the PCR results were positive for MAG-1 and SAG-4 and in one patient (14.3%) the PCR results were only positive for the B1 gene. The PCR results were positive only in the PBMCs, whereas they were negative in the serum samples. Two patients with positive PCR results showed high Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titres. However, none of the patients showed positive Toxoplasma IgM antibodies. Conclusions: The PBMCs are suitable for evaluating toxoplasmic chorioretinitis. The present results showed that PCR with bradyzoite genes is useful in the diagnosis of toxoplasmic chorioretinitis in PBMCs.