USE OF A MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY AND A DNA-PROBE FOR DIAGNOSING ACUTE TOXOPLASMOSIS IN AMBIGUOUS CASES

An unusual case of cerebral toxoplasmosis in an HIV negative 11 year o ld child is reported. Central nervous system disease was assessed immu nohistochemically in a brain biopsy specimen with TgP8-a specific mono clonal antibody against Toxo-plasma gondii antigens-thus confirming Ig G and IgM serology, technetium scan findings, and clinical data. In ad dition, an active parasitaemia was confirmed by DNA in situ hybridisat ion assay in white cells using an ABGTg4 probe. The child recovered af ter specific T gondii treatment. Follow up six months later showed tha t he was immunodeficient.