Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. PCR analysis (toxoplasmosis): results and interpretation

Scientists claim that seventy percent of people on our planet are infected with parasites, the most common of which is Toxoplasma gondii (toxoplasma). Many have probably heard terrible stories about this disease. But is it really so? Now doctors all over the world agree that this infection does not pose a great danger to a person. The article will cover some issues related to this disease, namely: what is toxoplasmosis, diagnosis (PCR) of the disease, what danger lies in pregnant women infected with this parasite, how they perform diagnostics and treatment.

Pathogens of the disease

Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection of humans and animals, caused by protozoa. To identify this disease, PCR analysis is prescribed . Toxoplasmosis causes the simplest intracellular parasites. Visually, they look like an orange slice or a crescent moon. Their dimensions are very small - about 5-7 microns. These microorganisms can reproduce both sexually and asexually. During sexual reproduction, cysts are formed, they make the human or animal body contagious. With such infection, the disease can proceed quite aggressively. If the products of asexual reproduction have got into the body, then the course of the disease, as a rule, passes asymptomatically and briefly, without causing discomfort in a person.

The causative agent of the disease most often become domestic animals, namely cats. There is an opinion that mice infected with toxoplasmosis, cease to be afraid of cats, which means they become easy prey for a predator. Unfortunately, people too easily can get infected with this parasite. And it causes some disorders in the body. Especially dangerous is toxoplasmosis in pregnancy. Therefore, if you keep cats at home, you can contact your doctor to have an analysis for toxoplasmosis (PCR). But not only cats can be a source of contagion. Carriers of toxoplasma are more than two hundred mammals and more than one hundred species of birds. A sick person does not isolate the causative agent of the environment into the environment, therefore he does not pose a danger to others.

The mechanism of infection

Often, the infection occurs through unwashed hands and greens, collected from the ground fruit. When you pet or kiss a pet, the toxoplasmic cysts can get into your mouth. You can also catch the disease by eating badly thermally processed meat by drinking raw milk.

There are three ways of infection with this parasite: by the oral route (most often), with internal organs transplantation and blood transfusion. His path of infection of the cyst begins from the lower part of the small intestine, then enters the lymphatic system, and from there it spreads to all organs. In organs where the cyst begins to multiply actively, inflammatory processes occur. But it should be noted that it is impossible to determine only by external manifestations without PCR analysis of toxoplasmosis. Symptoms of this disease are very similar to manifestations of a variety of ailments.

Symptoms

As it was said above, for the detection of the parasite it is necessary to pass the PCR assays. Toxoplasmosis is cunning in that its symptoms are veiled under the signs of other diseases. Most often it is confused with ARVI. Here are the main manifestations of the disease:

• Increase in temperature to thirty-eight degrees;
• chills;
• Pain in the joints and muscles;
• fast fatiguability;
• drowsiness;
• Lethargy;
• Spleen and liver;
• A rash occurs;
• There are signs of jaundice;
• Strabismus may occur;
• Enlargement of lymph nodes.

The incubation period of the disease lasts, as a rule, two weeks, but can reach several months. In a healthy person with a good immune system, very often the clinic of the disease does not appear at all. A person in this case does not even suspect that he needs to donate blood for toxoplasmosis (PCR). And if this, according to many doctors, for an adult, healthy person is almost safe, then pregnant women need to carefully monitor their health. And several times for pregnancy to take tests to identify cysts of toxoplasma.

PCR - toxoplasmosis and pregnancy

For a woman planning pregnancy, getting infected with toxoplasm is very undesirable. The danger is precisely in the primary infection. If the future mother was already a carrier of cysts, then in her body there are powerful antibodies that cope with this infection. But I must say that the percentage of such infection is very small - only 1%. Harmful this disease can affect the future baby only if the infection occurred in the early stages of pregnancy - in the first trimester. Therefore, if you are planning to have a baby, then at first limit yourself from the source of possible infection and give the PCR analysis. Toxoplasmosis, diagnosed in a timely manner, will save you from many problems in the future. There is a definite relationship between the timing of the infection and the consequences for the child:

• The earlier the infection occurs in the mother, the higher the probability that the consequences for the child will be very severe. But at the same time a very small percentage of the fact that the disease will be transmitted to the fetus.
• With late infection, a low percentage of severe fetal lesions, but high transmission of cysts to the baby.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to determine with the help of tests whether a woman has toxoplasmosis. Diagnosis of PCR is a very complicated procedure, it is done only in large medical centers. In small towns and district centers there are no such conditions.

Preventing primary infection with toxoplasma during pregnancy

It is necessary to emphasize that the analysis for the detection of cysts of toxoplasm should be given before pregnancy, but not during it:

• If antibodies are found in the blood of a future mother, then you can easily become pregnant - there will be no danger to the fetus.
• If signs of primary infection are found, then pregnancy should be postponed for six months.
• If the mother's body has not yet been infected with cysts, then additional precautions should be taken so that infection does not occur in the first trimester of pregnancy.

So, in time having handed over the analysis on PTSR, toxoplasmosis can be prevented. Pleases that from this disease it is easy enough to protect yourself and your loved ones. To do this, it is sufficient to adhere to the following recommendations:

• Strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene: wash your hands before eating; The vegetables and fruits collected in the garden must be thoroughly washed and scalded with boiling water, there is only well-roasted and boiled meat;
• Observe the rules for keeping pets: every day, change the pot with sand, flush the tray with disinfectants; If you notice a cat vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and lack of appetite - immediately contact the veterinarian.

And in order to prevent the risk of the onset and development of an innate disease, it is necessary:

• Even at the stage of pregnancy planning, to give the PCR analysis - toxoplasmosis, detected in the early stages, is easier to treat;
• Comply with all measures to prevent infection;
• Several times during pregnancy to do a second screening;
• In the case of primary infection, a full course of treatment to minimize the risk of damage to the fetus.

PCR (toxoplasmosis). Early diagnosis

It is very important to diagnose the disease in time. Not only pregnant women are given PCR tests (toxoplasmosis). The qualitative definition of infection helps in the treatment of many serious diseases. Here are the situations in which a doctor can prescribe a PCR:

• HIV infection;
• Immunodeficiency status;
• Hepatosplenomegaly of unknown origin;
• Fever of unknown origin;
• Lymphadenopathy of unknown origin /

This is a small part of the reasons for which PCR analysis is prescribed (toxoplasmosis).

Explanation of analyzes

How is the presence of infection determined? How is PCR (toxoplasmosis) performed? The diagnostic methods consist in detecting in the blood of antibodies IgG and IgM to toxoplasma. Toxoplasma gondii, like all microorganisms, consists of complex organic substances. When they enter the blood, our immune system perceives them as hostile and begins to produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) that accumulate in the body in some concentration. The antibodies M and G are different from each other. IgM antibodies accumulate in the first days of infection. In high concentrations, they are in the blood of a person for about two months, and then disappear. The maximum number of antibodies IgM falls on the second - third week. And if a higher concentration of this immunoglobulin is detected, that is, a PCR (toxoplasmosis) positive test will show the result, we can speak about the acute phase of the disease. Immunoglobulins IgG begin to be produced three days later than immunoglobulins IgM. The maximum concentration of these antibodies occurs in the fourth to fifth week after infection. These antibodies remain in the blood for life. IgG immunoglobulins prevent re-infection of the body. If the PCR analysis (toxoplasmosis) is negative, this indicates that the person has not been infected with the infection.

Forming a diagnosis

When a detailed diagnosis is formed, then, as a rule, the following is indicated:

• Form of toxoplasmosis (it can be congenital and acquired);
• The nature of the course of the disease (inapparent, chronic, subacute, acute);
• Type of pathology: systemic or organ;
• Severity of the course of the disease.

Treatment

At all it is not necessary to be engaged in a selftreatment in the event that to you have put the positive diagnosis by results PTSR (a toxoplasmosis). Treatment can be prescribed only by a qualified doctor. The method and intensity of treatment is determined by the doctor depending on the indications of the tests. With sluggish toxoplasmosis, a doctor can prescribe only drugs that stimulate the immune system. But in the subacute and acute course of the disease, tetracycline drugs, hingamin, antihistamines, vitamins and immunostimulating agents are prescribed. If the diagnosis is "chronic toxoplasmosis," then intramuscular injections of toxoplasmine are prescribed.

Clinical examination

To appoint or not prophylactic medical examination, the doctor solves separately in each concrete case. Everything depends on the form and course of the disease. If a person has suffered an acute form of the disease, then he will have to be inspected every four months. In chronic form - twice a year.

Prevention

Once again we turn to the methods of disease prevention. Even if the PCR test (toxoplasmosis) is negative, follow the strict rules of hygiene: eat only well-washed fruits, vegetables, greens. Carry out heat treatment of meat products. Properly take care of pets. Especially these comments concern pregnant women or those who are just planning to become a mother.