Diagnostic methods and protocols used in investigating Toxoplasma gondii in humans: A review

Shmeeran Ismael

doi:10.47419/bjbabs.v2i04.72

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease, is a parasitic infection caused by a coccidian protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. In immunocompetent people, the infection is asymptomatic, while it can produce serious signs in immunocompromised people and in developing fetuses. Accurate diagnosis is dependent, mainly, on the clinical features. However, in immunocompromised patients, the diagnosis is very difficult and may lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatment. Today, molecular diagnosis and serotyping are widely used for the diagnosis of T. gondii in many countries. The aim of the present short review is to highlight the current diagnostic methods and protocols that are used for the diagnosis of T. gondii in humans.

Highlights

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular, zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects humans and other warm-blooded species and causes a serious disease called toxoplasmosis
This review aims to highlight the currently used methods for the diagnosis of T. gondii infection
This review aimed to give a short presentation of current and emerging serological and molecular methods are used for the detection and diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and typing of isolated T. gondii

Summary

Introduction

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular, zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects humans and other warm-blooded species and causes a serious disease called toxoplasmosis. The common route of transmission of toxoplasmosis is by ingestion of undercooked red meat containing bradyzoite (tissue cysts), by ingestion of contaminated food, grasses or drinking of contaminated water with the infective stage sporulated oocyst. Toxoplasmosis is considered a disease of pregnancy by multiplying in the placenta and fetus and causing an acute and potentially fatal disease.[4,5,6] toxoplasmosis is usually benign, the congenital disease can lead to severe complications for the fetus and baby, such as the death of the fetus in the uterus, miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy or cause some neurological lesions including hydrocephalus, microcephaly, where the infection occurs in the late stage of pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is considered a disease of pregnancy by multiplying in the placenta and fetus and causing an acute and potentially fatal disease.[4,5,6] toxoplasmosis is usually benign, the congenital disease can lead to severe complications for the fetus and baby, such as the death of the fetus in the uterus, miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy or cause some neurological lesions including hydrocephalus, microcephaly, where the infection occurs in the late stage of pregnancy. 7

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