Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasmosis) – Real-time PCR – qualitative determination

biomaterial: saliva
– It is recommended to take the test on an empty stomach, or 3-4 hours after eating.
– You can't chew gum before handing in.
– You can't smoke an hour before the test.
– Refrain from drinking alcohol for a day.
– It is unacceptable to have cosmetics on your lips (lipsticks, lip balms).

biomaterial: blood
– Venous blood is donated for PCR testing and PCR genetics.
– Blood is collected on an empty stomach, after an overnight fast, or 8-12 hours after eating.
– On the day of blood donation, it is allowed to drink a small amount of pure water.
– 6-12 hours before the study, stressful situations should be avoided and physical activity should be limited.
– Avoid fatty foods, alcohol, and smoking.
– If possible, medication should be avoided.
– For infants – allow as long a pause between feedings as possible before handing over.

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. This parasitic infection can affect any mammal, including humans, and is particularly dangerous for immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. It is of utmost importance for scientists and medical professionals to develop effective methods for diagnosing and detecting this infection, and one of the advanced methods is real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR).

Real-time PCR is a highly accurate method of nucleic acid amplification that allows you to determine the presence and amount of Toxoplasma gondii genetic material in samples of biological material, such as blood, saliva, urine, etc. This method allows you to diagnose the infection in a timely manner and monitor its development.

The main advantages of real-time PCR in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis include:

1. High accuracy and sensitivity: Real-time PCR can detect even small amounts of Toxoplasma gondii genetic material, making it ideal for detecting early stages of infection.
2. Analysis speed: Determining the presence of the parasite in biological samples is quick, allowing doctors to respond in a timely manner and prescribe treatment.
3. Ability to quantify: Real-time PCR also allows you to determine the number of parasites in a sample, which is important for determining the stage of infection and the effectiveness of treatment.
4. Specificity: This method is very specific and does not give false positive results.
5. Automation capability: Real-time PCR can be automated, which reduces the risk of contamination and makes it an excellent option for large clinical laboratories.

Real-time PCR requires special equipment, including a thermal cycler and a fluorescent detector. To analyze the sample, it is treated with special probes that emit light when the genetic material of Toxoplasma gondii is amplified. The fluorescent detector measures the amount of light emitted, which allows the presence and amount of the parasite to be determined.

Real-time PCR opens up wide possibilities for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and the study of this infection. It helps doctors provide timely care to patients and choose effective treatment. This method can also be used in studies of the infectious process, as well as for monitoring populations of the fungus Toxoplasma gondii. Due to the combination of accuracy and speed, real-time PCR is an important tool in the fight against this infection and maintaining public health.