6 research outputs found
Toxoplasma-IgM and IgG-avidity in single samples from areas with a high infection rate can determine the risk of mother-to-child transmission
Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis: Prenatal and Neonatal Evaluation of Methods Used in Toulouse University Hospital and Incidence of Congenital Toxoplasmosis
The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of congenital
toxoplasmosis (CT) and to assess the performances of prenatal and
neonatal diagnoses. From 1994-2005, in Toulouse University Hospital,
France, amniocentesis was performed on 352 pregnant women who were
infected during pregnancy. All women were treated with spiramycin and
pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine when prenatal diagnosis was positive. Among
the 275 foetuses with follow-up, 66 (24%) were infected. The
transmission rates of Toxoplasma gondii were 7%, 24% and 59% in the
first, second and third trimesters, respectively. The sensitivity and
specificity of PCR on amniotic fluid (AF) were 91% and 99.5%,
respectively. One case was diagnosed by mouse inoculation with AF and
six cases were diagnosed by neonatal or postnatal screening. The
sensitivity and specificity of PCR on placentas were 52% and 99%,
respectively. The sensitivity of tests for the detection of specific
IgA and IgM in cord blood was 53% and 64%, respectively, and
specificity values were 91% and 92%. In conclusion, PCR performed on AF
had the highest levels of sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis
of CT. This permits an early diagnosis of most cases and should be
recommended