Infect Chemother.  2003 Feb;35(1):45-52.

Two Cases of Congenital Toxoplasmosis Diagnosed by Polymerase Chain Reaction

• Lee JA
• Kim DH
• Kim YK
• Chung EH
• Choi JH
• Lee HJ
• Chi JG
• Chai JY
• Lee YH

Abstract

The diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis may be difficult due to diversity of symptoms. However, the diagonosis is very important for treatment and determination of the prognosis of infected infants. We recently experienced two cases of congenital toxoplasmosis. The first case was suspected as congenital infection with hydrocephalus that was detected by prenatal ultrasonography. Postnatal evaluation revealed positive latex agglutination and ELISA IgG antibodies, and negative ELISA IgM antibodies for Toxoplasma gondii. Histologic examination of the biopsied brain tissue revealed microcalcification. The second case presented with jaundice and intraventricular hemorrhage, and serological evaluation revealed positive latex agglutination and ELISA IgG antibodies, and negative ELISA IgM antibodies for T. gondii. The mother was positive for ELISA IgM antibodies as well as for latex agglutination and ELISA IgG antibodies. In the blood and CSF of both infants as well as in the blood of their mothers, Toxoplasma specific B1 gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. Based on these results, we have confirmed two cases of congenital toxoplasmosis whose presenting symptoms were hydrocephalus, seizure, or jaundice, and these cases represent the first series of congenital toxoplasmosis diagnosed in Korea by polymerase chain reaction.

Keyword

Congenital infection; Toxoplasmosis; Polymerase chain reaction

MeSH Terms

Agglutination
Antibodies
Blotting, Southern
Brain
Diagnosis
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Hemorrhage
Humans
Hydrocephalus
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M
Infant
Jaundice
Korea
Latex
Mothers
Polymerase Chain Reaction*
Prognosis
Seizures
Toxoplasma
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis, Congenital*
Ultrasonography, Prenatal
Antibodies
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M
Latex