Bio-Evolution

Toxoplasma gondii

Reference
BE-A997
Packaging
25 tests per kit
Acid Nucleic
DNA
CE Marking
yes

 

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite widely distributed in the human population. A third of the world’s population would be affected by this infection.

 

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa, class Conoidasida and subclass Coccidia, that infects warm-blooded vertebrates, including human. Its genome, about 80 Mpb, consists of 11 chromosomes.

 

The principal mode of transmission to human is through the ingestion of poorly cooked meat containing encysted parasites. Farm animals in the food chain are important reservoirs of Toxoplasma gondii, because of potential exposition to human. Moreover, T. gondii causes also veterinary problems. Contacts with contaminated feces can also be a potential hazard.

 

Outcomes of infection are various, closely linked to immune system state. Most of infections are asymptomatic or take a self-limiting mild form. However, such patients can have a life-long latent infection, because of the presence of tissue cysts.

 

Infection is dangerous when contracted in utero and for immunocompromised patients (AIDS, leukemia, transplantation…). Acute toxoplasmosis contracted during pregnancy may result in fetal death or in serious complications (blindness, deafness or central nervous system disorders). These outcomes may manifest in neonates or later in life for children infected congenitaly.

 

Toxoplasmosis diagnosis depends usually on serology detection by ELISA, agglutination tests or other immunological methods (WesternBlot, Sabin-Feldman test). However, serological techniques can be insufficient in immunocompromised patients or in prenatal diagnostic cases. For these patients, molecular diagnostic is of major interest.