Serological diagnosis of infections sustained by Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus and Citomegalovirus, a comparison between two methods

The serological diagnosis of infections from Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus and Cytomegalovirus is of a great importance especially during pregnancy for the risk of maternal-fetal infections. Serological testing have evolved with time and are many on the market with different levels of specificity and sensivity. The aim of the study was to determine the analytical and clinical concordance between two methods for the determination of specific IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii, Rubella virus and Cytomegalovirus. The total numbers of samples evaluated for T. gondii, Rubella virus and Cytomegalovirus IgG and IgM were 124 and 127, 83 and 87, 129 and 103, respectively. The comparison methods used for this study were Diamedix® enzime imunoassay run in MAGO-Plus Delta Biologicals® Immunodiagnostics System (routinely used) and Vitros© Eci chemiluminescence immunoassay run in Vitros ECiQ Immunodiagnostics System ORTHO-Clinical Diagnostics Johnson & Johnson company.Vidas bioMérieux was take as referee method to evaluate discrepant results. Analytical concordance ranged between 87 and 97%, clinical concordance ranged between 93 and 99%. Despite differences in detection antibodies (specific IgG and IgM) and revelation of signal the methods evaluated show generally good levels of clinical concordance.The results are consistent with references and External Quality Assurance Programs

Sieroepidemiologia delle infezioni da Toxoplasma gondii, virus della Rosolia e Citomegalovirus in una coorte di gravide

Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus and Citomegalovirus are responsible for maternal-fetal infections that can cause severe consequences in fetus. The surveillance of these infections in pregnancy is made by specific antibodies detection and when necessary by demostrating the presence of the infectious agent in body fluids. We have evaluated the seroprevalence of antibodies in a cohort of 1100 pregnant women against Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus and Citomegalovirus. Our data show a low seroprevalence against Toxoplasma gondii, a suboptimal immunitary coverage against Rubella virus and a significative increase of incidence in Citomegalovirus infection. The study suggests the need of a multiprofessional and multidisciplinary approach for the right management of these maternal-fetal infections and underlines the pivot role played by Clinical Pathologists