Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in placentas of women who
received therapy during gestation in a toxoplasmosis outbreak
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by T. gondii, a protozoa which affects
humans and animals and is widely distributed worldwide. In humans, there
is great concern due to the serious consequences that can occur in the
infection of pregnant women and the newborn. The early diagnosis of
gestational toxoplasmosis is important for treatment to be carried out
in order to prevent vertical transmission or reduce damage. The
diagnosis can be made through the detection of antibodies in pregnant
women or neonates and PCR of amniotic fluid. Previous studies have also
reported PCR of the placenta as a good diagnostic test. Our study
evaluated the detection of T. gondii DNA in placenta samples from
parturients seen at the University Hospital of Santa Maria, Southern
Brazil and treated during the pregnancy. We performed PCR in forty
samples and five were positive, representing 12.5%. When correlating
the treatment time and the detection of DNA in the placentas, no
significant result was found. The prevalence of positive samples was
lower than in other studies in the literature. The data reaffirm the
importance of carrying out the analysis of the placenta. Key words:
Placenta, PCR, toxoplasmosis.