PCR-based diagnosis is not always useful in the acute acquired toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent individuals.

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is the most prevalent zoonosis in the world and is associated with a large spectrum of diseases. Acute acquired toxoplasmosis (AAT) is considered a benign and self-limiting disease but severe postnatal infections have been reported, particularly in South America. Laboratory diagnosis is based on the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM, IgG, and presence of low IgG avidity. However, these assays present limitations, and therefore, PCR has been suggested as an alternative diagnostic tool. In this study, we performed real-time and nested PCR in DNA blood samples from 59 individuals with AAT lasting less than 80days. None of the patients had parasitic DNA detected by PCR, even in the more severe cases or when blood was collected early after disease onset. These negative results indicate that the parasitemia kinetics needs investigation to determine the best time for blood sampling, especially in immunocompetent individuals. Thus, we emphasize that a negative PCR result does not exclude recent T. gondii infection, and serological criteria are still decisive for the laboratory diagnosis of AAT.