Angel S, Zala C, Maero E, Blanco JC, Gonzalez R, Pzsenny V, Perelmuter H, Garberi JC; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24; 8: B109 (abstract no. PoB 3134).
Fundacion CIMAE, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the detection of repetitive DNA sequences of Toxoplasma gondii in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AIDS patients with encephalitis. METHODS: DNA extracted from 200-700 ul CSF was analyzed by dot blot hybridization with DNA probe (Tg4) labelled with digoxigenin-dUTP (Boehreinger-Mannhein). Test were performed by triplicate. Tg4 probe is a DNA sequence repeated up to 1,000 times in the genome of T.gondii. It is able to detect about 2 x 10(3) parasites in an experimental model in vitro and do not show cross hybridization with human, mouse and other coccidios DNA (Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervularia) (Blanco, JC., Am J Trop Med Hyg, in press). CSF samples were obtained from 4 patients who had on presentation a presumptive diagnosis of toxoplasma encephalitis. RESULTS: Positive signals (+) were detected in 3/4 samples from patients with clinical and/or tomographic diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) toxoplasmosis. Pte.#1 (+) had neurological improvement and tomographic resolution after therapy with pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine. Ptes.#2 (+) and #3 (+) were admitted in a critical condition and died soon after the treatment was started, hence we were not able to evaluate the clinical response. Pte.#4 (-) had a positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, responding to specific therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We had described an specific and sensitive method for the detection of T.gondii DNA. Tg4 dot blot system with non radioactive probes may be a complementary technique in the diagnosis of CNS toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- DNA
- DNA Probes
- Encephalitis
- Humans
- In Vitro
- Mice
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Nucleic Acid Hybridization
- Sulfadiazine
- Toxoplasma
- Toxoplasmosis
- Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral
- diagnosis
- genetics
- therapy
Other ID:
UI: 102198583
From Meeting Abstracts