DETECTION OF TOXOPLASMA-GONDII WITH POLYM ERASE CHAIN-REACTION FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL TOXOPLASMOSIS

Primary infection with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy may affect t he fetus and result in congenital toxoplasmosis. In Austria serologica l screening for detection of newly acquired infection during pregnancy was introduced in 1975. In this study we used polymerase chain reacti on (PCR) for detection of fetal infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Amni otic fluid samples were analyzed from 11 women with serological indica tion of acute toxoplasmosis infection. Nine of these women had already received treatment prior to amnio-centesis and no evidence of Toxopla sma gondii DNA was detected with PCR in the respective amniotic fluid samples. Isolation of the organism by mouse inoculation was negative i n these cases and follow-up serology as well as clinical examination o f the infants confirmed these results. In 2 patients investigation of the amniotic fluid samples by means of PCR was positive; both women ha d not yet been treated at the time of amniocentesis. Our results indic ate that identification of Toxoplasma gondii in amniotic fluid is a us eful procedure for diagnosing or excluding fetal infection. Moreover, the current recommendations of the screening program appear to be succ essful in preventing congential toxoplasmosis.