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Diagnosis of pulmonary infection with Toxoplasma gondii in immunocompromised HIV-positive patients by real-time PCR

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Abstract

The aim of the study presented here was to evaluate the use of PCR for improving the diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in immunocompromised hosts. Three hundred thirty-two bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples were analyzed by real-time PCR targeting a 529 bp element of T. gondii. In positive samples, the genotype of the parasite was determined by sequence analysis of the GRA6 gene. Positive results were achieved for 2% (7/332) of the samples tested. Genotyping was possible in two samples and revealed GRA6 type II T. gondii. PCR for detecting T. gondii in BAL samples should be performed in all immunosuppressed HIV-positive patients with symptoms of a systemic infection of unknown etiology. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis does not exclude concomitant infection with T. gondii.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre HIV cohort study group for providing access to the samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Bacteriology F82, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital—Huddinge, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden

    E. Petersen

  2. Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital—Skejby, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark

    E. Petersen

  3. Department of Laboratory Medicine F82, Karolinska Institute at Karolinska University Hospital—Huddinge, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden

    B. Edvinsson & B. Evengård

  4. Department of Infectious Diseases and Copenhagen HIV Programme, Hvidovre University Hospital—Hvidovre, 2650, Hvidovre, Denmark

    T. Benfield

  5. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre University Hospital—Hvidovre, 2650, Hvidovre, Denmark

    B. Lundgren

Authors
  1. E. Petersen
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  2. B. Edvinsson
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  3. B. Lundgren
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  4. T. Benfield
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  5. B. Evengård
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. Evengård.

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Petersen, E., Edvinsson, B., Lundgren, B. et al. Diagnosis of pulmonary infection with Toxoplasma gondii in immunocompromised HIV-positive patients by real-time PCR. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 25, 401–404 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-006-0156-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-006-0156-5

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